About the Artist

               Susan L. Wilkins 2017 Institute of Art Chicago

I have been painting since 1994. My painting career began with Contemporary Realism, working with acrylic and oil pastels for the first 10 years, then in 2004 switching to oil painting exclusively. I managed to achieve a successful painting career with 16 gallery representing my flora work and  2 major public art projects in 2003 and 2004 for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. I took a 5 year break from her work doing a limited amount of production to 3-4 commissions per year.

 I didn't feel compelled by the work I was producing and didn't like my results any more. Rarely did I even complete a piece. I just quit. After a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, my spirt for paint woke up. As my passion for painting returned I still struggled to get where I wanted to be. So I spent 10 days with nationally known artist Mark Carder in his Austin Texas studio. He changed everything. I will always be so very grateful for his kindness and patience he showed me and not just to get back on track, but better than I thought possible.  

During the pandemic, it was a time to set some goals. Learning to scuba dive and changing my last name were on the top of the list. Watching the dive boats go out the Jupiter Inlet was something I no longer wanted to observe. So I did it. As of November 2022 I have 126 dives under my dive belt. A underwater series is in creative development. As far as the name change goes, Stevens was my 1st married name. I have been with my husband Rich for 12 years. Just before my Dad died I told him that I was thinking about changing my name back to Wilkins. He was thrilled that I would be signing my work as Susan L. Wilkins. Here's to you Daddy.  

I try to have my work reflect my passion for Ocean and Reef Ecology.  My hopes are if people are reminded of the beauty of the ocean, perhaps we will all will take better care of it.  I take a garbage bag out with me every time I hit the beach for reference photos to pick up plastic and debris. It's always shocking how quickly it fills up.  Palm Beach, Martin Counties, the Bahamas or Turks, it is both disturbing and shocking, if not very sad how much litter washes up on our beaches daily. I started diving about a years ago. I find myself picking up debris at depth of 85 & 100 feet in the middle of the Atlantic. Yes, debris is every where. 

 Thank you for your interest in my work and please enjoy the beach and love our oceans where every you are. 

Respectfuly,

Susan