Australian artist, Sue Paterson, is making her colorful mark on the Los Angeles art scene with her U.S. debut show, “Bursting into Life.” Paterson’s solo exhibition is currently taking place at Hollywood’s renowned Montalban Theater from May 17-June 21, 2016 and features her large-scale acrylic paintings of vibrant blooms and bold landscapes. The artist herself will be in attendance at the reception night celebration on Tuesday, May 24th from 7-10 pm and closing reception on June 21, 2016 from 7-10 pm. All are welcome to the event.
AXS had the opportunity to speak to Paterson about her life, art and what to expect at her Los Angeles debut show. “This series of paintings represents joyful memories of special people and wildly beautiful places that have brought me happiness throughout my life. Each piece tells a story and all are a celebration of life, hence the title, “Bursting into Life,” Paterson says.
Born with a vivid imagination and inspired by the ethereal landscapes of her New Zealand and Australia upbringing, Paterson began developing her bright surrealistic expressionist style at a young age. Unlike many aspiring artists pushed to pursue more “practical” goals, Paterson says both her mother and grandmother were creative role models that encouraged her artistic passion. “My mother collected fine antique treasures and owned a popular decor and gift store in the town where I grew up,” explains Paterson. “My grandmother actually crafted many of the items sold in the store and she taught me how to pay attention to detail, which inspired me to start drawing and painting. Once I started, I never wanted to stop. If I wasn’t being creative in some way, I just felt really out of sorts and I’m still that way today.”
Paterson graduated from high school with honors in Visual Arts and then decided herself she needed to pursue a career path that allowed her to apply her artistic ability but also offered more financial stability. She switched her focus to Interior Design and spent the last 20 years establishing a successful Interior Design and Collections business while continuing to paint on the side. “My love of interiors goes hand in hand with my love of art, they both involve color, balance, visual harmony and most importantly, a feeling of wellbeing,” says Paterson. But when her mother passed away in 2012, the artist was hit with the realization that “life really is too short” and it was time to put her passion for paint into full gear.
Influenced by masters such as Gauguin, Kandinsky and particularly Van Gogh, Paterson defines her style as part- Impressionism, part-Expressionism with the common thread of bright, bold, colors exuding celebratory emotions. As someone who regularly meditates, she explains that it’s easy for her to get into that “happy, creative head space” to paint but that her process also involves listening to up-lifting music such as Adele, Jackson Browne, Michael Jackson and James Taylor to inspire the contagious, joyous energy depicted in her work. From her very first solo exhibition at Percolator Gallery (Brisbane, AU), Paterson exploded onto the Australian art scene and has been selling her works to numerous private collectors as well as high profile clients such as Warner Brothers for inclusion on movie sets. She has also been commissioned for projects in Australia and overseas, and has been chosen to work on a number of large-scale collaborative projects that include large three-dimensional murals in public spaces.
“People who have purchased my paintings often comment that it is a feeling of happiness that attracted them to my work. As an artist, to be able to garner that kind of emotional response from people, that’s what really drives me.” says Paterson. “I'm excited and honored to have this opportunity to share my work with Los Angeles and exhibit at the iconic Montalban Theater.”
A must see destination in itself; the Montalban Theater is one of the last standing mid-sized and fully equipped proscenium theaters in Los Angeles. Known for it excellent sightlines and acoustics, the Montalban has been home to a wide variety of shows, concerts and events that have included: Selena in concert, Jesus Christ Superstar (with the original cast), an evening with comedian Billy Connolly, a recent two-week run of John Leguizamo’s “Ghetto Klown” and a selection of film and artist events.
Paterson’s “Bursting into Life” art exhibition takes place in the Montalban Theater’s Mezzanine Gallery at 1615 Vine St, Hollywood, CA. The show runs from May 17-June 21 (11am-6pm) daily and features ten pieces including large-scale acrylics on canvas, Paterson’s work will be for sale and visitors can also watch the artist at work during the exhibition on pieces she is donating to the Montalban Theater.
Click here to find out more about “Bursting into Life” exhibition.
Click here to RSVP and find out more about the closing reception public event on June 21, 2016 (7-10pm)
To find out more about Sue Paterson and her collection of work, go directly to her website: www.suepaterson.com
