J. Susan Aitken (www.jsaitkenart.com) is a contemporary realist painter who lives and works in Canton, Michigan. Her distinctive personal style is a modern interpretation of the 12th century art form of stained glass. A combination of intricate line and luminous color, her oil paintings emanate both elegance and serenity.
Aitken’s professional art experience has encompassed book illustration, a bachelors in art with a certification in art education and teaching for a total of fifteen years, and attending graduate school. Two years ago, she retired from teaching full time to set up her painting studio.
Aitken’s artwork has been shown in exhibitions throughout Michigan and Tennessee, including a two-person exhibit in Depot Town Center, Ypsilanti, and group shows at Madonna University and Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. Her paintings are currently scheduled for solo exhibits in March 2019 at the Civic Center Fine Arts Gallery in Livonia and in August 2019 at the Village Theater in Canton.
Statement
A great admirer of the line character found in woodblock printing and batik, I began to think in terms of bold lines when I transitioned from to oil paint two years ago. For me, everything about oil paint seems bold and unafraid. These defined lines create their own structure in my compositions. They highlight and encase shapes of luminous color, weaving together in intricate design, surprising in their harmony. Within the paintings is a semblance of order found in both nature and life.
In addition to its literal visual similarity to stained glass, my most current work weaves nature with elements of storytelling, utilizing statues and gargoyles. Several paintings explore this historical link more deeply by revealing imagery and symbolic intent. These three dimensional forms are pulled from their places of origin and placed within a framework of stained glass to create an alternate narrative.
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