ArtAccess

SMALL GROUP WORKSHOPS AND INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS ON INTUITIVE MIXED MEDIA PAINTING ARE BEING OFFERED AT SUSANNE'S LAKE-VIEW HOME STUDIO IN PEACHLAND, AND AT OTHER VENUES IN THE OKANAGAN AND BC.

FOR EVENT SCHEDULE, PRIVATE SESSIONS AND MORE INFO, PLEASE SEE THIS WEBSITE UNDER "UPCOMING EVENTS" OR GO TO: www.artaccess.ca


Susanne Dannenberg, aka Suda, was born in Germany to an architect father and artist mother. After coming to Canada in 1980, Susanne raised two children who are now both grown and involved with music. A few years ago she retired from a 25-year career in social work to follow her passion for the arts.

Susanne has always had an interest in photography and now incorporates her photographic images with encaustic and mixed media, including acrylics, inks, oils, milk paints, pastels, papers and beeswax.

Although she has attended a number of classes with various teachers, Susanne has no formal art training. However, she has learned from those who have gone before her as well as from her peers. Susanne has come to know that each person she encounters is her teacher, especially those with whom she makes art, and for that she is eternally grateful.

Lately, Susanne has become more engaged with larger scale abstract paintings. As a result of observing her creative process and that of others, Susanne believes that intuition is a key part to painting. In her view it is a natural ability that is available to everyone and a skill anyone can cultivate. At the same time, she realizes some common challenges that can block the free expression of truthful art from the heart.

In her workshop, 'Intuitive & Abstract Painting', she tries to address these blocks by offering various painting exercises that involve meditation, breath, music and art techniques that bypass the mind. She also teaches a self-critique process that is separate from the painting process and helps the artist grow.

She writes about her own painting process:

"My current work is a reminder to let go of outcomes. I had desired outcomes to start with, of course, but the outcome is no longer as important as my desire to enjoy the moment. I assist the work in creating itself, allowing things to happen instead of forcing them. I like to work quickly to bypass self-consciousness and thus avoid premature judgments and mediated choices that are too cautious. I allow the painting to lead me, even if I don't know where it is taking me. Actually, I love the surprise and excitement that comes from seeing the 'accidental' formations of paint running together, or textures that come up from layering, pasting and mark-making. I try to accept and respond to the transformative nature of the painting process and suspend expectations about the outcome. I never really know what a piece will look like, until it is finished. It is a free-flowing process that reminds me to relax and trust. It reminds me that we never need to worry. If I find that I don't like how something turns out, I can simply paint over it and begin again."

By being with what is in the moment, art has become for Susanne part of her spiritual path. Her art practice is now a vehicle that allows Susanne to transcend time where her creative source and the divine energy become one.
It is her intention to share this intuitive knowledge with others who also want to awaken themselves to the gifts within them and access their creative energy.

According to her students, Susanne facilitates fun and safe workshops where people can rediscover their inner artist, remove barriers to their creative expression and reclaim their imagination by trusting their intuition.

'Silence', 2008, encaustic & mixed media on wood, 12x16", NFS

'Luna', 2010, mixed media on paper & board, 13x22", framed

'Piano Player', 2009, mixed media on canvas, 36x24", framed

'Hurricane', 2009, acrylic & mixed media on canvas, 36x24", framed, SOLD



WORKSHOP TESTIMONIALS:

"Thank you for a great workshop....I had a great time....I could not believe how quickly the time went. Thank you for being so generous with your knowledge....I have booked for another workshop and I also would like to invite a friend to it."
Deb

"Thank you so much for an excellent workshop yesterday; it was very instructive, well organized, and inspirational! As a teacher I really enjoy good teaching and you are a very good teacher."
Astri

"I can't say I 'enjoyed' the class. It was way outside my comfort zone and I was totally overwhelmed by ideas and learning about stuff I'd never even heard of before. But that doesn't mean I regret taking the class - just the opposite! Too often we spend our lives in a comfortable 'rut' and don't even know what we're missing out on. From last night my mind opened a crack into something new and very interesting. It's good to be 'uncomfortable' sometimes ... that's when we grow! I really enjoyed watching and absorbing all the creative energy in the room! Thank you for encouraging me to be a part of it. I'm going to keep on experimenting with the mixed media & wax and little by little maybe I can open that crack a bit larger! Thank you again! You taught the class very well and I appreciate the time you took with me."
Linda

"Dear Susanne, Thank you for the truly inspiring day at your studio. Amber had a fantastic time, delving into her creativity, free from distractions. It was a chance to be with her inner artist. We both thought that your home atmosphere, your way with the class and your abundance of materials were excellent. I am setting up a home studio, with Amber to have use of it. You really are a treasure of a teacher and human being!!!
My gratitude-heart,
Pat"

"I took a mixed media painting workshop with Susanne in July of 2008. I hadn't done any visual art work for many years. Susanne provided a generous selection of art materials and engaged us in a fun adventure with collage, paint and wax. I enjoyed the process very much and I was surprised at everybody's unpredictably beautiful outcomes. Since then, I have gone back for another session and I highly recommend her workshops to others!"
Erdi

"Thanks again for your course, which I thoroughly enjoyed."
Ken

"Thank you very much for such a great day Saturday, and making me feel so welcome in your studio (and home). It truly was fun for me. I felt way out of my element, but thanks to you, that really didn't matter at all. I have been reading your handout and already used the Michael's coupon, and do feel inspired! Who knows where it will go, but I feel this is a medium where a beginner like me can start and I have already learned so much from your direction."
Heather

"Thanks Susanne for your course! I loved it! I am looking forward to learning more about this art form."
Bonnie

"Thank you Susanne. I enjoyed the class and meeting the other women. It was a positive environment and that is important to me."
Anita

"Hi Susanne, thank you so much for the fabulous day!!!!
I really enjoyed it and loved learning new techniques. I would love to have you over here (Vancouver) for a workshop. Love to hear your thoughts and create possibilities with you. Thank you again.
Love, Light and Laughter,"
Amy

"Thanks, Susanne; yes I did enjoy the class and it was great meeting you and all those nice ladies.
Vielen Dank!
Lita"

"Thanks once again for a lovely workshop. I picked up many more valuable tips. I also ran over to Michael's to pick up a frame for my piece. It is now hanging on the wall and I'm thrilled to have it up and framed...p.s. thanks for the hand outs from the video. They are marvelous. I have a million ideas now and once again not enough time in my day....I truly would love to take more workshops."
Sandi

"Susanne,I want to let you know how much I have appreciated your workshops and all they have done for me. You are a very talented lady in many ways, not just artistically.
Your guidance and patience have taught me wonderful techniques, initiating my previously stuck creativity to flow. It's like taking a feel good drug and that has been very healing on many levels. I literally leave class feeling a natural, balanced high that lasts all day. What a blessing.
So, thank you Susanne for offering this haven of inspiration and healing."
Beverley

"I want to let you know that the gift you give to each of us cannot be measured in any way. I know that when I have left your studio I feel inspired and the creative juices are flowing."
Sam