Susan Lim
Artist

Can you tell us a little about what you do? I paint exclusively in oil and I fell in love with painting portraits (both people and animals). Although I paint the classic sit down portraits, my focus has been designing and developing my own conceptual ideas to create one of a kind portraiture and figurative art. My work involves detailed planning with sketches and a photo shoot with models, props, background design and editing to create beautiful visuals to tell a story. The final edit will then be turned into a beautiful painting.

How did you first become interested in art? I have always been interested in art. As a child, I loved drawing but didn’t think I was good enough so I didn’t pursue it. When I was a teenager, I started drawing figures and models and designing clothes, but my parents didn’t think it was a great career choice so I didn’t pursue that either. It wasn’t until my early 40s I started pursuing oil painting because I needed to get myself out of feeling depressed from a life changing experience. I fell in love with it and am completely obsessed!

How does art enrich a community, and what are some ways people can engage with art in Burbank?
I personally think that education about art and its history is always a good way to enrich a community. Art is best enjoyed when one gets to learn more about the story behind why the artist creates the art. We are fortunate to be living in a county with countless museums, art galleries and events that offer art talks, tours and exhibitions to learn more. Interactively, art can also bring people together as they come together to create art as a community. Perhaps a project to beautify and paint a wall, utility boxes, or street painting to commemorate a special event. The possibilities are endless!

If you could share with our community one thing about art, what would it be?
That every piece of Fine Art tells a story. You may find the answers if you spend enough time looking at it. What does it say, where did it take place, who is in it and are there any secrets?

To find out more about Susan and her work, visit her website susanlimfineart.com or follow her on Instagram and Facebook @art.susanlim