Sue's work is a powerful demonstration of what happens when lifelong commitment intersects with inherent talent. Her practice is not a hobby, but a rigorous, sustained pursuit, which is evident in the quality and depth of her output. The accumulation of awards across various media speaks volumes, highlighting her exceptional versatility and her mastery of the materials she employs. What makes Sue's art so compelling is its ability to actively engage the viewer on an emotional and intellectual level. She is a truly significant artist whose work is both beautifully crafted and profoundly stirring.

"I was attracted to Encaustic not only because it is an ancient media, one of the first used by artists wishing to preserve their work for another day. But this medium, created with layers upon layers of pigmented wax, each one fused to the one before it, gives, by its very nature, a sense of time. The fact that those layers often peak out from behind each other draws me right into the work every time. I have also been experimenting with encaustic monotype, working with wax on a hotbox and mounting my prints onto cradled boards. And, because of the freedom it provides, I am now working with cold wax and oil paint as well as hot. Using this process, I can create larger pieces. My work is intuitive and abstract, and it often inadvertently refers to the landscape I grew up with on the East coast." -Sue Kirshner 2024

As an artist in watercolor, mixed media, encaustic and cold wax and oil, Sue has many exhibitions and awards to her name. She is a graduate of Emmanuel College in Boston.

Exhibitions & Awards
Solo Exhibitions
• Stillpoint Gallery, Cleveland, OH — 2013, 2015, 2018
Juried & Group Exhibitions
• New England Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition, Boston, MA — 1990
• Colorado Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition, Grand Junction, CO — 1990
• Ohio Watercolor Society Annual Juried Exhibition — 1991, 1992
• Buckeye Gold Medal Award, 1991
• Ohio Arts Council Fellowship for collaborative installation “Wrapping It Up” — 1990
• Fairmount Center for the Performing Arts, 19th & 20th Annual Russell Art Show, Novelty, OH — 1994, 1995
• 40th Annual Newman Religious Art Show, Hallinan Center, Case Western Reserve University — 1995
• Willoughby School of Fine Arts Association Annual Juried Exhibition, Willoughby, OH — 1994
• Art at the Powerhouse Gallery: Summer Celebration (Invitational Group Show), Cleveland, OH — 1993, 1994
• XIV Annual Invitational Art Festival, Park Synagogue, Cleveland, OH — 1993
• Beck Center for the Cultural Arts (Inaugural Show), Lakewood, OH — 1993
• East West Alternative Gallery: “Invite a Friend”, Shaker Heights, OH — 1993
• BIG ARTS Juried Exhibition, Sanibel, FL — 2015, 2016
• Honorable Mention, 2015
• Captiva Juried Exhibition, Captiva, FL — 2016
• Honorable Mention, 2016
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Awards
• Ohio Watercolor Society, Canton, OH — Buckeye Gold Medal Award, 1991
• MARC Show, Mayfield Heights, OH — 1st Prize, Pastels & Mixed Media (Juried), 1988
• Honorable Mention, Painting, 1983
• Valley Art Center, Chagrin Falls, OH —
• Best of Show, Painting, 1984
• 1st Prize, Painting (Juried), 1984
• Juror’s Mention, Painting, 1983
• Honorable Mention, Painting, 1982
• Jewish Community Center, Cleveland Heights, OH — Frame and Save Award, Painting (Juried), 1986
• Orange Artists and Craftsmen Show, Orange, OH — Honorable Mention, Painting (Juried), 1984