Meet Susie Drucker | Oil and Watercolor Artist

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

Hi Susie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
For as long as I can remember, I have been driven to create beauty and bring laughter and joy to others. Creative experimentation has been a constant part of my life through photography, drawing, jewelry making, and painting with watercolors and oils. And there were a couple years of fashion design in college followed by workshops with many artists in several mediums. Throughout all of that, I created tapestries and quilts, did some acting in a local theater, and was somewhat serious about modern dance, including spending a summer as a dance major at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. As you can see, my life has always been immersed in the arts.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

What I do now is a culmination of my life experiences. After retiring from a career in IT at a large company, I was able to start creating art full-time. The big surprise was how different the business of art is from the corporate world. Painting is hard work! It’s been a journey, but, after six years of painting nearly every day, it’s coming together. I’ve had pieces featured in national shows and have shown in several local galleries. There are many different ways to share art. The challenge is choosing the best venue to reach people who will appreciate the artwork.

Being surrounded by so much beauty has made it difficult to find a unique perspective. Who isn’t awed by an expansive mountain view or wildflowers filling a meadow? What people may miss are the subtle beauties and curiosities. That’s what I’m inspired to paint. My paintings are designed to be contemplative, revealing the unexpected and highlighting the hidden “gems” within the broader landscape. I’m generous with my use of rich colors, lines, and textures, often showing views from an unconventional perspective. My goal is to pull beauty out of the simplest of objects or sites, sharing the essence of these experiences through my paintings.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

There is so much to do in the mountains and that’s where I live, so mountain adventures are mostly what we’d do. There are many incredible hiking trails, including some particularly gorgeous hikes in Guanella Pass. And Mt. Evans wilderness has miles and miles of trails worthy of a day hike with a break for a picnic lunch.

A concert at Red Rocks is a must-do. Even if it’s off-season, there’s always a trek to the top (taking the stairs, of course) to admire the views in and around that incredible venue. Dining out at a local brewery is another must, and the Denver Art Museum and the Botanic Gardens are also both worth a visit.

Finally, if it’s winter, my visitors are coming skiing with me, ending the day with a home-cooked meal by a warm fireplace.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The local fine art centers are incredible supporters of the arts and local artists. From personal experience as a member, Evergreen Center for the Arts in Evergreen and Foothills Art Center in Golden both provide programs, exhibits, and professional support. I’ve met many wonderful artists through each of these groups and am grateful that the communities contribute so much to help these invaluable centers thrive.

Website: www.susiedrucker.com

Instagram: @susiedruckerart

Image Credits
Images of the artist painting courtesy of Tayler Carlisle Photography