Meet the Artist
Susan Comish
Master Portrait Artist
-- About the Artist --
"Stories on canvas"Susan Comish is an artist of extraordinary ability. She is one of those rare individuals with a truly creative mind and the talent to express ideas in oil. Each painting she creates represents a new and exciting challenge to portray on canvas the personality and individuality of the subject.
Her subject has always been people. "I love the relationship," she says. "It's different than looking at a tree or a mountain. When a portrait hangs on your wall, there's an emotional connection for the viewer. The subject is someone who's loved and admired.." Susan first became enamored with oil painting at the age of 8 when her parents commissioned artist, Gene W. Anthony to paint her portrait. This started a lifetime of intrigue with the difficult art of painting people. After her studies in art, dance and music at Brigham Young University, Susan had opportunities to study PORTRAITURE with John Howard Sanden of New York, and Robert Bruce Williams of Washington DC. However, her favorite memories are with the one who originally inspired her; Gene W Anthony became her tutor and critic at a significant time in her artistic development. Susan is a life long student of all the fine arts, and considers a broad knowledge and background to be essential to the elements of the creative process. She remarks, "Everything you do in life contributes to how you express yourself on canvas. History, music, science, nature...it all helps you grow as an artist." Susan receives commissions from clients all around the world. She has a varied and impressive portfolio of work. Her paintings hang in universities, businesses, research institutions, and private homes on several continents. Her series of Christmas and holiday paintings are collectibles that have such appeal as to enhance the heart as well as delight the eye. Her portraits of men, women and children have a touch of old world realism. Her historical and religious works are charged with emotion and sometimes even humor. Susan is a member of the Portrait Institute of New York and a certified member of the American Portrait Society. She is also an accomplished author and illustrator and has been featured in publications including:
|
Susan Comish is revered for her Christmas Art Collection and is
renowned as the #1 Santa Artist |
-- Education --
Bachelor of Arts, Brigham Young University, Art Major
Specialized study with:
Industry:
- Figurative painting
- Sculpture
- Dance
- Choreography
- Music
Specialized study with:
- Gene W. Anthony (who painted her portrait at 8 yrs old)
- John Howard Sanden of New York Art Student's League
- Robert Bruce Williams of Washington DC
Industry:
- Member of the Portrait Institute of New York
- Certified member of the American Portrait Society.
-- Professional Experience --
|
Glass Art
Starting out in her career in her early 20's, Susan Comish developed a method of painting flowers on 6 layers of glass to look 3-dimensional. After selling locally, a team of sales reps contacted her and soon her work was in stores all across the nation and into Canada. These unique paintings are now circling the internet. When they are cleaned by the artist and re-framed they are better than new and have great value. Such fine detailed brushwork required for these paintings contributed later on to the intricacy of her portrait work and the fine detail in the face. Portraits Susan Comish found her love for portrait work from the time she was 8 years old after her portait was painted by Artist, Gene W Anthony. While in her 20's she had the opportunity to study portraiture in New York and Chicago. She has since then accepted commission work and has never stopped doing what she loves most. Over the years Susan painted portraits for people internationally. She has been fortunate to spend much time in the museums and castles of Europe studying the art of the masters. As an award winning artist, her portraits hang in universities, museums, businesses, research institutions, and private homes on several continents. Every portrait she paints is a unique work of art rendered with the finest quality oils on Belgium linen canvas that will endure through generations of time. Christmas In the 1980's Susan painted a portrait of her father, dressed as Santa Claus. That portrait started a request for new Santa paintings every year from buyers all over the country. Her Christmas images are made into prints, boxes, puzzles, flags, Christmas cards and many other Christmas items and sold in stores across the nation, and Canada. Illustration Susan's imagination and creativity is always working even when she's not painting. She has written and illustrated several children's and family books. |
|
-- Awards --
Judges Choice Award "Images of Billings" show at Castle Gallery, Billings MT, 1984, awarded Susan Comish with the Judges Choice Award for her portrait of "Peter Yeagen". Peter Yeagen is a legend throughout the Yellowstone County area. His family owned and developed much of the land and contributed a great deal to the building up of the city of Billings. His influence is still felt and many properties carry his name. |
Most Popular Vote Award Heritage of Faith 7th International World Wide Art Competition, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2006. Nearly a thousand artists from 44 countries entered this show. Susan's oil painting entitled, "Sabbath Morning" was among 235 works selected for exhibition at the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City, Utah. From the thousands of visitors that viewed the exhibit, her work was voted and awarded "Most Popular". 
|
Honorable Mention This painting of "Mary's Kiss" touched the hearts of viewers as well as the judges. The piece was awarded an Honorable Mention and displayed in the main gallery of the Springville Art Museum, Utah, during their annual Christmas Show in 2003. |
Popular Vote Award Utah County Annual Fine Art Show and Competition, 1993 The model who posed for this portrait is the artist's daughter at the age of 8 years old. Titled, "Sunday Dress." It was also judged in the annual Spring Salon at the Springville Museum of Art, Utah, and publicly critiqued for the "most expressive eyes." 
|
