Meet Susan Humphrey | Artist and Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Humphrey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?

Happiness is a state of mind, in my opinion. You can be happy, mad, sad and other “feelings” at a whim. I am determined to be happy because it makes my life better. Here are some of the things that truly make me happier.

-My family, I love my husband of 50 years, my daughter and her family! My 2 grandchildren are rascals and make me smile. I love teaching them new and interesting things about the life we live.
-The community I live in. I was born in Montrose and have lived my whole life in the area. My childhood was spent on a cattle ranch near the Black Canyon National Park. Many of the traditions and values I hold the most dear were established on that ranch. The work ethic, the management of the land and the nurturing of the our beautiful Hereford cattle.
-My art and photography! My art is a look into my heart. At times these reflections are so personal that I find it hard to share with the public. I am able to share the important things in my life in my art and find this a way to educate the public about a different life than some have not experienced. I love the wonderful landscapes of our mountains, the Black Canyon, cattle and most recently wild horses.
-I find happiness in most of the things around me, there is something good in everything and everyone, you just have to find it. This simple fact is part of the mystery of life that keeps me young and happy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am very excited to be involved in art!

I worked 30+ years for a local retail business. Many of those years were spent on the road visiting stores and helping them merchandise. During that time I saw the most interesting things on the road. That was when I started keeping my camera with me while I drove. My photos were poor, at best, but there is only one way to get better and that is to practice. Thanks goodness for digital photography, I could never been able to afford all of the photos I have taken if they had been film.

I started using my photos in digital paintings using Corel Painter. This is a very sophisticated computer program that produces very realistic paintings. My big problem with this was that no one understood the process and didn’t accept that it was art. These days people accept digital art much easier. I continue to use this and enjoy it very much. I found that giving demonstrations helped immensely and continue to do that. I also was able to establish myself in a couple of galleries that believed in my work.

I have always been interested in painting and tried it from time to time, with no success. I finally found an artist that’s style was something I couldn’t resist. I have taken several of her workshops and will continue forever, probably. I learn everyday about the process and she has been a great mentor for me.

I produce art for my own satisfaction, but I am thrilled that I have been accepted in the art world and have become successful in my own little corner or that eminence sea of artists.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I entertain out of town friends often and here is what we do:

-Visit the Black Canyon and drive by my family ranch.
-Go to the San Juan Mountains and take photos.
-Show them my Grands 4H lambs and tell them what the goals for college are with the money they earn.
-I always prepare the very best food for friends right here at our home. I bake bread and pies, throw a steak on the grill and feed them more than they can eat. That’s part of what makes me happy!
-I also take them to the local galleries where I exhibit my art. I love the feedback and reactions I see from all of the different friends from different walks of life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Shoutout I want to mention is my Ole Man, my husband, and my best friend, Dan Humphrey. Never has anyone been so supportive of my many ideas and wonderings of my life.

He is my driver when I take photos, stopping quickly, backing up, pulling forward or patiently waiting for me to hike to the perfect place. He also keeps his eye on me in case I stumble and fall on one of these expeditions. So far, so good, he hasn’t had to rescue me so far.

He is a careful and well spoken critic of my oil paintings. This is a relative new activity for me and the learning curve has been huge. He is supportive and never says “that looks terrible” when clearly it does. As my work improves he helps me know where to add a correction or just says GOOD!

Website: https://www.susanhumphreyart.com/

Instagram: hlazyj

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fineartwesternpaintings/ and https://www.facebook.com/sandwashbasinwildmustangs

Other: https://www.wildwesternart.com/