Art is my gateway to exploration and discovery. It's not just about creating something visually appealing; it's about delving deep into the essence of life itself. With pastels as my medium of choice, I find myself drawn to their vibrant colors, each stroke allowing me to express the beauty I see in the world.

As a signature member of the Chicago Pastel Painters, I've honed my craft almost exclusively to work with pastels. Something is mesmerizing about their hues, and I'm endlessly fascinated by how they blend and layer to create a symphony of color on sanded paper.

My painting process is a journey of concentration and contemplation. It starts with capturing multiple snapshots of life using my iPhone or DSLR camera, each photo a potential inspiration. From there, I sketch and study, experimenting with composition and form until I find the perfect balance.

Layer by layer, I build upon my initial sketches, using various underpainting techniques to establish the foundation of each piece. With each stroke of pastel, I strive to convey the emotion and essence of the scene, adding depth and detail until it resonates with my original vision.

Ultimately, my goal is to share the beauty I find in everyday life and the places I've traveled. Through my passion for color and light, I hope to connect with others who share my admiration for the world around us.

Juried shows, & Non Juried*

2025

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest , IL“Sanctuary”

2024

Crete Creative Gallery& School Crete, IL. “ 2024 Community Showcase

Chicago Pastel Painters, Chicago, IL., “Strokin’ 10!”Tenth Biennial MemberJuried Exhibition”.

Red Rocks Pastel Society, Las Vegas, NV. “ Member Show”

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest , IL“Kaleidoscope”

Chamber Night with Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, Flossmoor, IL. “Plein Air”Auction

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest , IL “Water Works” Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL . “ Destinations Unknown”

 Mc Cord Gallery, Palos Park, IL. “ Doorsways: Coming or Going” 

Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL. “Natural Inclinations”

Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL. “Mimic”

2023

Crete Creative Gallery, Crete, IL. “ 2023 Community Showcase”

Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL . “Monochrome”

The Edge Coffee House, Crete, IL. Union Street Gallery Guild Member Show”

Beverly Arts 46th Competition & Exhibition , Chicago, IL.

Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL ., “Direct Observation”

2023

Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL “ The Power of Light”

Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL. Virtuosity in Unity”

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest , IL.“ Windows And Doors”

 Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL “Marked”

2022

Crete Creative Gallery & School., “6th Annual Crete Community Showcase”

Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL. “Parallel Visions”.

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest, IL. “TA-DA” The 2022 Annual Tall GrassGallery Artist Exhibit.

Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL. “Recently”

2021

Light Space & Time Online Art gallery.,“11th Nature Art Exhibition”,November 2021 th

Crete Creative Gallery & School., 5 Annual Community Showcase, Crete, IL. Chicago Pastel Painters, Chicago, IL., “ Making Their Marks”*

ChicagoPastelPainters,Chicago,IL.Eight Biennial National Open Juried Exhibition, “Pastels Chicago 2021.”

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest, IL., “Reunion”.

Crete Creative Gallery and School @ Arbor House, Crete, IL., “My Best Friend.”*

2020

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest, IL., “Growl, Howl, Moo, Baa, Roar. Chicago Pastel Painters, Chicago, IL., “Strokin’ VIII Eighth Biennial

MemberJuried Exhibition”.

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest IL. “Hot Wheels.”

Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL. “ Natural Light.”

2019

Chicago Pastel Painters, Seventh Biennial National Juried Exhibition, The Art Center Highland Park, IL.

Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights, IL. Garden Walk Fundraiser.

Aper!o Catelogue Fine Art Edition, “Warmth” July 2019,

2018

Governor!s State University Gallery, University Park, IL. “Creating Art En Plein

Air at Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park “ Exhibition.”

Union Street Gallery, Chicago Heights. IL. “Contemporary Nature.”

Tall Grass Art Association, Park Forest, IL., Frankfort Arts Association, “Emerging Perspectives.”

Awards

2024 

Crete Creative Gallery & School., “6 Annual Crete Community Showcase”

Sixth Place

2023

Frankfort Art Association, “Art On the Green” Honorable Mention”

Frankfort Art Association, Frankfort, IL “ The Power of Light”Jurors Award of Excellence

2022

Crete Creative Gallery & School., “6th Annual Crete Community Showcase” Second Place

2021

Light Space & Time Online Art gallery., “11th Nature Art Exhibition” Special Merit & Special Recognition.

2001

President!s Art Contest & Exhibition, Homewood Art Fair, Homewood, IL. Honorable Mention.

Publications

Shout Out Colorado, Online publication, October 25, 2022, Meet Susan Johnson/Pastel artist.

Memberships:

Chicago Pastel Painters, Signature member, Union Street Gallery, Frankfort Arts Association, Red Rocks Pastel Society.

Education

A graduate of The University of Illinois, BS. in Retailing. I attended art and design courses and minored in Jewelry

Design. I was taught & mentored by Robert Von Neuman, Professor and award-winning jewelry designer.

I have had the privilege of attending workshops and demos by several artists, including Tony Alain, Julie and Michael Freeman, Isabelle Lim, Jeannie Rosier Smith, Christine Ivers, Alain Picard, and Marikay Peter Witlock. I continue to further my education through workshops organized by the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS).