About the Artist
ARTIST STATEMENT / BIO / CVC
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
Painting and mark making are my means of communication as well as my way of understanding the world. The elements of nature and woodland vistas of the Hudson Valley, where I live and work, serve as my muse. I employ diverse mediums in my creative process, but rely on soft pastel as my principal voice with which to convey and amplify my narrative.
I am drawn to the landscape and intrigued by the complex interweaving of lines, textures, and shapes: the chaos and the order of nature. My work offers the viewer the opportunity to stop and “smell the roses,” a respite, a moment to breathe and be replenished.
BIO
Susan M. Story works in an upstate New York studio surrounded by the environment that inspired the Hudson Valley School. “I am drawn to the landscape, and intrigued by the complex interweaving of lines, textures, and shapes: the chaos, as well as the order of nature.
Coming from a family of artists, she left a career in fashion design to pursue her passion for landscape painting. Story graduated from the Parsons School of Design/The New School with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The intense and focused curriculum and a foundation of drawing prepared her for a fine art studio practice.
A Signature - Master Pastelist member of the Pastel Society of America, Story serves on the Board of Governors and has International Association Of Pastel Societies Master Circle status. She is a juried member of the historic Salmagundi Club, as well as the Academic Artists Association, Allied Artists of America, Audubon Artists, Hudson River Valley Art Association, and the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Club. Story has shared her technical experience and understanding of many mediums with students, young and old, from library-supported classes to workshops at the National Arts Club in NYC.
Story's artistic achievements include: features in the prominent publications: Pratique des Arts magazine; the Pastel Journal magazine and their 2019 book Pure Pastel: Contemporary Works by Today's Top Artists by Anne Hevener. Her recent honors include: New York State Regrant Artist commission Award; Grand Prize, Horace Champagne from the PSEC; Art Spirit Foundation Gold Medal, 138th Salmagundi Club's Members Exhibit; PSC’s President's Award at the PSA Annual; the IAPS Award for Excellence Online MC Exhibit and several top awards over the years at the Pastel Society of America. Several pieces of Story's works have also been purchased by Apple TV for various productions.
CVC
Publications:
Pratique des Arts Magazine, May/June 2020
Pure Pastel, North Light Books, March 2019
Seasons Of Greene, Greene Land Trust 2018
Pastel Journal Magazine, F & W Publications, September/October 2015
Artful Mind Artzine, July 2013
Affiliations:
Pastel Society of America, (board member and Master Pastelist)
Audubon Artists, (committee & artist member)
Salmagundi Club, (artist member)
Academic Artists Association, (active member)
Hudson Valley Artist Association, (active member)
Awards:
The Pastel Society of America:
Royal Talen Rembrandt Award, 2019, 2018
Herman Margulies Award for Excellence , donated by Dianne B. Bernhard, 2017
Richard McKinley Mentorship Award in memory of Margaret Stahl-Moyer, 2016
Dick Blick Arts Award, 1999
Catherine Lorillard Wolf Art Club:
Bronze Medal, 2019
Connecticut Pastel Society:
Presidents Award 2018
Salmagundi Club:
Mortimer E. Freehof Memorial Award, 2016
Sylvia Maria Glesmann Floral/Still, 2015
Annual Thumb Box Show, Merit Award, 2014
Award of Merit 2013, 2014
Audubon Artists:
Audubon Artists Gold Medal of Honor 2019
The Dianne Bernhard, Art Spirit Foundation, Gold Medal, 2018
Silver Medal of Honor 2011, 2016
Northeast National Pastel Exhibition:
Judge’s Choice, 2010
Academic Artists Association:
Terry Ludwig Award 2009
Hudson Valley Art Association:
Sauter & Margulies Award for Excellence 1999
Exhibitions:
The Pastel Society of America, National Exhibition, National Arts Club, NYC; 2022, 2021, 2020, 1999 (award), 2003, 2008, 2013 -16 (award), 2017 (award), 2018 (award), 2019 (award)
18th North American Pastel Artists Association, Flushing, NY, 2016
International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS); Convention Pastel/ World Exhibition 2024, 2022, 2019, American Art Company, Tacoma WA, 2018, Salmagundi Club Exhibition 2016, Web Show 2021 (award), 2012
International Pastel Artists Invitational, Taipei, Taiwan 2014, 2017
Salmagundi Club, NYC, Masters Exhibition 2014, ongoing exhibitions
Audubon Artists Annual Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, NYC; 2019 (award), 2018 (award), 12017, 2016 (award), 2015- 2012, 2011- 10, 1998
Vox Populiprint Collective, Response, Scope Art Show, Basel, Switzerland 2018
Spencertown Academy, 2016
Connecticut Pastel Society, West Hartford, Connecticut; 2019 (award), 2018 (award), 2017-16, 2013, 2000
Northeast National Pastel Exhibition, Arts Center/ Old Forge, NY; 2013–11,2010 (award), 2009-08
Allied Artists of America, National Arts Club, NYC; 2021, 2012, 2008
Academic Artists Association National Exhibition, Springfield, MA; 2014, 2012, 2008, 2007 (award), 2006
The Hudson Valley Art Association, In.;National Arts Club, NYC; 2017, 2010, 2007, Newington-Cropsey Foundation Gallery, Yonkers, NY; 2024, 1999 (award)
Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington VT; 2007, 2006
Woodstock Artist Association and Museum, Woodstock, NY; 2007-2005
Colonie Art League National Exhibition, Morningside Gallery, Loudonville, NY; 2000 (award), 1999 (award)
Bethlehem Art Association, Delmar, NY; 2012 -1999 (awards) all years
Solo Exhibitions:
Jon Gernon Picture Frame and Fine Art, Troy New York: 2024
The Guggenheim Gallery, Rensselaerville, NY; annually 1999 – 2019
Kuhar Cafe Gallery, Rensselaerville, NY: 2021 - 2023
Catskill Fine Art & Antiques, Catskill, NY, July - August 2017
Agroforestry Resource Center, Acra, NY; 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018
The Clement Art Gallery, Troy, NY, January - February 2016
The Old Chatham Country Store Café Gallery, Chatham, NY 2014
The Palmer House Café, Rensselaerville, NY; 2012, 2014
Wellington’s Gallery, Schoharie, NY; 2006, 2008, 2013, 2014
Broderick Fine Art Gallery, Freehold, NY; 2011
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chapel Gallery, Rensselaer, NY; 2010
Edmund Niles Huyck Gallery, Rensselaerville, NY; 2010
Way Out Gallery, Rensselaerville, NY; 2009
Deborah Davis Fine Art, Inc., Hudson, NY; 2008
Old Forge Art Center, (View), Old Forge, NY; 2008
Woodstock Artist Association and Museum, Woodstock, NY; 2007
Windham Fine Art Gallery, Windham, NY; 2002, 2004, 2007
The Beattie – Powers Place, Catskill, NY; 2002, 2004
Otter Hook Gallery, Delmar, NY; 2002
Kaaterskill Fine Art Gallery, Hunter, NY; 2001, 2007, 2008, 2010
Mountain Top Gallery, Greene County Council on the Arts, Windham, NY; 2000
Mill Cottage, Rensselaerville, NY; 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
Galleries:
Nation Arts Club, NY, NY, Grand Gallery, East and West Galleries
Salmagundi Club, NY, NY, Skylight and Rockwell Galleries
Jon Gernon Picture Frame and Fine Art, Troy, NY
The Guggenheim Gallery, Rensselaerville, NY
Catskill Fine Art & Antiques, Catskill, NY
Mark Gruber Gallery, New Paltz, NY
Clement Fine Art Gallery, Troy, NY
Museums:
The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, Ohio, 2017
Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich Connecticut 06360
Instructing:
Pastel Society of America, National Arts Club, NY; 2015, 2017
Wellington’s Herbs and Spices, Schoharie, NY; 2011- 2017
Thacher Park Nature Center, Voorheesville, NY; 2011, 2015
Bethlehem Art Association, Delmar, NY; 2011
Huyck Preserve, Rensselaerville, NY; 2011
Greenville Library, Greenville, NY; 1997-2018
Cairo Public Library, Cairo, NY; 2012
