Conversations with Susie McColgan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susie McColgan

Hi Susie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I first starting creating art when I was in kindergarten, I remember how much I loved drawing these running horses on my abstract tissue collage creation. I was always drawing at recess, I loved drawing something and I could take it home with me. I am a Michigan based artist, growing up enjoying the great lakes and the beautiful vast skies and sunsets. My grandmother gave me her oil paint set when I was nine and I’ve been painting ever since. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a BFA I worked throughout Michigan as an art director producing award winning illustrations and designs. Throughout the commercial work, my painting and portraiture was always my greatest joy and passion which I then dedicated my energies and career to the arts, my Art in Healing work and my fine art painting. Unfortunately in 2019 I had a near-death accident with multiple injuries and surgeries, after a year of recovery I was able to walk and paint again. During this traumatic experience a new appreciation for life emerged, I am so grateful. My painting has become my highest passion, painting as much as I can, painting from my heart and sharing it with the world!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Throughout my career there have been many obstacles to overcome. Fear of failure and/or not thinking you’re good enough always seemed to creep into my thinking. It can be very paralyzing and we need to outsmart and rise above it. Silence the fear! Other challenges include juggling financial difficulties, raising a family, health issues, and becoming a 24/7 caregiver for my mother. (which I will cherish forever)….but the most difficult one was when I almost died in a terrible accident in 2019. I encountered so many broken bones, surgeries, and worst of all my painting hand was shattered. After two years of recovery, fighting for my life in those hours of darkness and uncertainty I became impassioned that IF I could paint again I would give it my top priority, dedicate my energies to creating all the ideas I have in my mind and share them with world to help people.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work hard, am passionate to create paintings that can help people. I feel the place I take the viewer is multi-dimensional both in touching places in their memories, in their hearts and taking them through a story leading to a safe enjoyable emotional place. My paintings create a healing energy through strategic color and lighting relationships and design, bringing feelings of comfort, warmth, hope and peaceful harmony.

How do you think about happiness?
My joy is my loved ones and life. I feel blessed to be alive and grateful for all the little and big moments. Each langhter, each teary-eye, each smile and hug and the beauty of nature all around us is pure happiness. Out of that comes my artwork. Out of all of that comes a beautiful life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www,susiemccolgan.com
• Instagram: @mccolgansusie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susiemccolganart
• LinkedIn: susiemccolgan
• Youtube: www.youetube.com/susiemccolgan