Susan Gore Gardner named "Artist of the Month"

The Newnan-Coweta Art Association has selected Susan Gore Gardner as its featured “Artist of the Month” for April 2023.

Mrs. Gardner’s art will be featured in the entry way to Newnan City Hall, located at 25 LaGrange Street, until April 28.

Susan Gore Gardner grew up hearing Country, Bluegrass, Blues, Jazz, and Rock & Roll. A lifelong love of drawing became a profession upon graduation from Kennesaw State University in 1980 as Susan embarked on a career as a wildlife artist. Fast forward to 1990 when the artist encountered the medium of pastels and began creating color-filled landscapes and still lifes.

During a personally challenging chapter in her life, the artist found the blessing of comfort, encouragement and creative inspiration in music. A visual fascination with the musicians and their instruments bloomed and Susan found her life’s work: capturing on paper the essence of the musicians, that moment they are “in the groove,” illuminated by the striking colors of stage lights.

Susan’s devotion to portraying the instruments with affection and accuracy is appreciated by players and listeners alike. She frequents guitar shops including Gruhn Guitars in Nashville and music-themed museums as she researches the instruments for future portraits. A connection has been made with an entire new group of people who relate to Susan’s artwork because of the musical subjects. Her portraits have provoked many smiles, initiated wonderful music-oriented conversations and garnered numerous awards.

She photographed her first live concert in 1993 and since then has produced an ongoing series of portraits based on her own concert experiences. These portraits have been featured in several solo art shows in Georgia, including “40 Years of Art” at the Rockmart Art Association in Dallas, ‘Blues to Bluegrass’ at the Harris Art Center in Calhoun, and ‘From Rock to Bluegrass: Musician Portraits’ at the Carrollton Cultural Art Center in Carrollton.

Awards at Juried Shows include:

• “Tony Sims” Best in Show, Paulding Fine Art Association’s Juried Fall Art Competition

• “John Lee Hooker” 1st Place, South Cobb Arts Alliance Art Festival

• “Radney Foster” 1st Place, Dallas Art Guild Juried Competition

• “Marty Stuart” 3rd Place, Southeastern Pastel Society Juried Members Exhibition

• “Bruce Jeansonne” Honorable Mention, Booth Art Guild Exhibition

Susan Gore Gardner is a member of Newnan-Coweta Art Association. The Art Association’s general meetings are held the third Monday of each month (from August through May) at the Harriet Alexander Art Center on Hospital Road at 7 p.m. An art demonstration is presented each month. Visitors and new members are always welcome.