Check Out Susan Feldman’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Feldman. 

Hi Susan, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles and have been making art in this lifetime for as long as I can remember. My practice consists of mixed media of all kinds, including wall pieces, installations, and sculpture. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For me, working as an artist isn’t about a road being smooth or not. I couldn’t not do what I do. I often say “I breathe, I make art.” It’s something I have to do, no question about it. So yes, sometimes that involves struggle and confrontation. But it’s a part of me ingrained so much into who I am that I don’t know any other way to exist. My journey has taken me to some extraordinarily alternative, fascinating places, both inside and outside of my studio. My comfort zone is always being explored and stretched to include some “unsmooth” steps along the way, but still, I continue on and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve been at this for a very long time, and it never gets old or boring for me. (Boredom??? What’s that?). I’ve explored many different expressions of making art and feel so blessed that I can switch back and forth between mediums according to what I’m inspired by. I love building things out of wood and really enjoy making structures combining found wood with other materials like plexiglass, collage, photography, string, etc… And I also love to paint and draw. One of my latest projects that I’m really excited about is the city I built in 2020. It’s called M.O.C., (My Own City), and was started before the pandemic hit. It consists of 50 buildings, (and infrastucture), depicting places I would want in a city if I were in charge of creating one. It’s an immersive installation that I was fortunate to exhibit last year at therendongallery.com, in the LA Arts District, during a two-month residency. I’m excited to be exhibiting the whole project once again in September of 2023 at MOAH, (Museum of Art and History), in Lancaster, CA. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
One of my favorite quotes is by Helen Keller: “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” In regards to my art making, I believe it helps that I was never formally trained or went to Art School. I haven’t been told or taught that certain things should or should not be done while creating something. So, I love that I kind of just go into each project with an open mind about how I want to make something, or how it should be done. I also do my best to live my life the same way. It’s all a risk and also an exciting opportunity to express myself in any way I can. Fear and overthinking can really get in my way, so I like to acknowledge that, and then move on, just go for it! Another saying that I’ve been hearing in my head for the past several years is “If not now, When?’ and that really gets me moving! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.susanfeldmanart.com
• Instagram: @susanfeldmanart

Image Credits
Tony Pinto