Susan was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, however her father and grandfathers were native Vermonters. During her younger years, Susan and family would often vacation and visit family in Vermont. Eventually, her father moved the family back home to Vermont when she was 11.
Susan's youthful interest in art continued through high school and into college where she eventually earned a degree in Fine Arts from Green Mtn. College located in Poultney, VT. Shortly afterwards, Susan first began to paint primitives, which quickly turned into her passion.
Working in the style of Wysocki, Wooster Scott and Moses, Susan's unique primitive paintings harkens back to an earlier era of American art. She doesn't limit her settings to Vermont but includes places from all over the country. Commissions are welcome and pet lovers will enjoy the 'Dog Art' done in her primitive style.
Each painting tells a story and reflects the things she loves, old towns, beautiful houses, barns, churches, lighthouses, sea and landscapes. She often takes pictures of these settings for use in upcoming projects. Her artwork often reflects her love for the Green Mountain State but there's a diversity to her work as well. As she traveled around the country and living in different states, she was exposed to different regions and cultures and these too soon became subjects for her work.
Now that Susan has settled back in Vermont with her son, she spends her time transferring those pictures and ideas to canvas as well as continuing to snap pictures of the New England countryside. Her beloved 15 year old black lab/golden retriever mix, Danby, who has since passed away, is seen in all of her paintings.
Susan is a member of Manchester and Danby/Mt. Tabor, VT. Chamber's of Commerce. Her paintings have made juried shows at the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC), Stratton Vermonts's Fine Arts Festival and she has also shown at Gremlin Fine Arts located in Manchester VT., and Hildene's Artists in the Garden. Susan participated in the 2005 Manchester, Vt. Chamber of Commerce 'A Horse Affair' in which artists were asked to donate their time painting on life size fiberglass horses as a fundraiser. She also particpated in the 2006 Palettes of Vermont. She's contributes to the SVAC's Fresh Paint Auction, as well as the Mark Skinner Library's fundraising auction 'Bookends'. Susan donated a painted cheese box for the Arts In Education auction- a fundraiser that allows grants for teachers at Flood Brook Union School in Londonderry as well as other area schools, (her entry brought in the highest bid!) and recently Manchester's Maple Street School's scholarship auction-an auction that raises money for about 1/3 of the students who need financial assistance.
Her works have been displayed at local area businesses and at solo shows at the Library in Dorset, VT and a show at Marth Canfield library in Arlington, VT. In February 2008, Susan had her first two person show at SVAC and a solo in July 2009 also at SVAC.
Her accomplishments include a 2003 Certificate of Achievement from Gremlin Fine Arts of Manchester, 2nd place at the 2004 Hildene Artists in the Garden competition. Her horse affair entry Seasonal Delights took the People's Choice Award for Most Fun and tied for second for Best Overall. She earned first and third place ribbons at the 2007 Vermont State Fair, First and Third place at the 2008 Fair, first place and Honorable mention ribbons at the 2009 fair and first, second and honorable mention at the 2010 Vt state fair. Her works are collected around the nation including a piece owned by John Irving, author of 'Cider House Rules' and 'The World According To Garp'. Her new dog, Sonora, a Flat Coated Retriever, will be making her appearances as well in some future paintings along with Danby. Her home studio-Danby Dog Art Studio (named after her dog) is located in Danby, VT. and is open to the public, by appointment or by chance.
Susan C Houghton joined Fine Art America on September 16th, 2007.
