Susan Downing-White’s ongoing series of oil paintings, Memento, records changes to specific landscapes within a 100-mile radius of her studio over the past three decades. Her series of map paintings, Where Water Meets Land, explore the same landscapes from a point of view above the clouds. Satellite imagery is used to interpret in paint the patterns of moving sand, runoff, land subsidence, and sea level rise. The two perspectives capture the fleeting grace of life in fragile places.
Downing-White was born in Chicago, IL in 1959. With her family she moved to Miami, Florida seven years later. Trips through the Florida Keys with its open skies and the contrast between vivid color and gray winters still haunts her work. The great 17th century Dutch landscape painters have been a major influence on her style, which is grounded in the classical technique of underpainting and glazing.
She studied architecture briefly at Auburn University and later graduated with a BFA in painting and printmaking from University of South Alabama. While living in New Orleans (2000-2005), she spent five years working as an art conservator’s assistant while maintaining a studio at the Egg Building in mid-city. These days she lives and works on Dog River, near Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.
Galleries:
Cole Pratt Gallery: 3800 Magazine St, New Orleans LA 70115. Phone: (504) 891-6789http://coleprattgallery.com
Ashland Gallery: 2321 Old Shell Rd, Mobile, AL 479-3548
Studio Visits (by appointment):
251.545.1441. Email: info@susandowningwhite.com
instagram: susandowningwhite_art
To be included on Susan Downing-White’s mailing list, please fill in the form below.