Susan Liroff: My Story
I've been working as a commercial artist for the past 30 years to support my art habit. My roots have always been in drawing, sketching and painting.
Sketching is my way of being still and really getting a feel for where I'm at. While I try hard not to judge the quality of the compositions, I still sometimes scan in some photo imagery to add a detail to a drawing that I want but haven't the time, patience or skill to sketch myself.
In the last 4 years, I have taken my love of painting and my skills using the tools of graphic design to merge them into digital art compositions. Feel free to check out my digital work at spitfiregraphics.com, my commercial design website.
I love cityscapes as well as nature. In my earlier digital works, the juxtaposition of nature and human construction is symbolized by the joining of scans of my watercolor sketches and digital imagery.
While digital painting has opened up so many possible combinations for imagery, my heart lies in getting off the computer and bringing my brushes, pens and sketchbooks outdoors.
Sitting outdoors, breathing the air in the company of my pens and brushes is my idea of heaven on earth!
Better yet, don't take my word for it. Hire me to go along on your next journey and you'll have the travel experience of your life!!!
-susan
RECENT SHOWS
Solo Show: Cafe Arrivederci, San Rafael, CA, 2010
La Pena Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA, 2010
Alameda Historic Museum, Alameda CA , 2009
The Space Gallery, Oakland, CA, 2009
Thinking Big: Gualala Arts Center, 2009
Art and Activisim, Berkeley City College, 2009
Inferno Gallery: Last Days of Bush, 2008
Fedderly Gallery, Vallejo CA, 2008
Solo Show, Kensington Library, Kensington CA, 2008
Women’s Cancer Resource Center Gallery: Political Art Show, Oakland, 2008
Berkeley Arts Commission Addison Street Windows, 2008
Pro Arts Open Studios, Oakland, East Bay, 2008
Skates Restaurant, Berkeley, 2007
WCRC Gallery: Oaktown Show, Oakland, 2007
Colby Street Arts and Crafts Fair, Oakland, 2007
WomensArt.com Website, 2007
Depth & Distance: Lesbians in the Visual Arts, San Francisco, 2007
COLLECTIONS
Alameda County Arts Commission- Grand Lake Theatre Print, 2006
Most of my art has been sold to private collectors. While I have been participating in Open Studios for the past 10 years, I have just recently begun to publicly display my art in shows. A list of buyers can be furnished on request.