About Susan
I’m Susan Gardner, a contemporary British painter working primarily in oil. I create expressive, colour-rich paintings inspired by animals, birds and the natural world.
At the heart of my work is a simple belief. Empathy for animals is ordinary. It does not require specialist knowledge or a particular way of thinking. It is something most of us recognise instinctively when we slow down and look.
When we recognise the inner lives of other animals, something is bound to change. We soften. We become more curious, more understanding and more compassionate in our choices.
My paintings are an invitation into a moment of recognition sparking a sudden, deep connection with the natural world.
Colour is where everything begins. I use bold, vibrant palettes, fluid movement and scale to create paintings that are felt before they are analysed.
Larger works encourage a physical response, asking the viewer to step closer and spend time with the subject.
I am not interested in literal representation. I paint by instinct, seeking to represent our emotional response to wildlife.
Loose, calligraphic lines suggest movement and freedom. Layered paint and texture give impact and presence. My brushwork is physical and sculptural, allowing weight, and character to emerge naturally.
To live with my work is to be wowed each day by the significance and beauty of the lives we share this planet with.
