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Bold, beautiful creations works for
blind artist
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| Suzanne Gardner
peeps out from behind flowers, which will be exhibited
at this year's annual Black & White Ball to be held
Saturday, May 31, at 7 p.m. at Warkworth Town Hall
Centre for the Arts. Photo: Elaine
Tweedie | By Elaine
Tweedie
Warkworth - As you walk up the path to the artist's
Richmond Hill home/art studio, what is evident is the
homeowners' love of flowers. Her garden is filled with colour.
Suzanne Gardner, an effervescent, pint-sized blonde greets
visitors to the door.
In 1998, when Suzanne began losing
her sight because of complications of juvenile diabetes, she
was distraught. Eventually surgeons performed a procedure
called a vistrectomy, which would stabilize her condition. She
lost all vision in her right eye, but retained partial vision
in her left eye.
Suzanne left her full-time job as an
Office Manager in a doctor's office and when she felt she
could no longer function adequately. With the help of Princess
Margaret Palliative Care doctors, she learned to live with her
condition.
For a short time, she was inactive, shattered
by the loss of her independence. A friend suggested she take
up a hobby, such as painting, to fill her hours. She initially
thought the idea of taking up painting a crazy one, but rose
to the challenge. Approximately seven years ago, she began
taking art lessons. One of her first instructors was Jay
Dampf, who she says not only took a genuine interest in his
students' work, but would look at her pieces and find
something positive to say, building up her confidence.
Art
has given her a new direction and a new meaning to her
life.
"It was something to focus on and I developed a real
passion for it," says Suzanne. Her paintings are bold and
beautiful.
"My purpose is not to capture every detail, but
to capture feeling and emotion."
In March of 2007 her work
was shown at the Toronto Art Expo, Canada's largest indoor art
exhibition, a juried event that features both Canadian and
international artists. This was followed by a smaller exhibit
at the Cobourg Lions Art Show. Her acrylic art on canvas has
been bought by collectors from around the globe. The
University of Toronto grad says of her work: "Art is a very
personal journey for me, as it is an extension of the self.
Art is not what you want to have, but something you need to
have."
To learn more about the artist, visit
www.suzannegardner.com or see her work at the Cheeky Bee
Candle Company and Gallery, 23 Main Street, Warkworth.
 
06.JUN.08 Adding a
touch of colour
06.JUN.08 United Way
training branches out,
06.JUN.08 Garden Tour
throws history into the mix
06.JUN.08 Promoting the
little village in the Big Apple
06.JUN.08 New facility
given top
06.JUN.08 Memorial
rally supports troops and veterans
06.JUN.08 Rose Home
Hardware cuts official chain
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at The Shield
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for autism
30.MAY.08 Kites and
Kids
30.MAY.08 Township
library joins exclusive company
30.MAY.08 Prom royalty
crowned
30.MAY.08 Guides have a
lot to celebrate
30.MAY.08 A visit to
O’Hara Mill is to take a step back in time
30.MAY.08 Marlbank
Chainsaw Challenge fun for everyone
30.MAY.08 City to
support Kingston hospitals
30.MAY.08 Don’t forget
to vote June 3
30.MAY.08 Trent Valley
Lodge breaks ground for 32 more beds
30.MAY.08 Skate Park
committee puts the money where their hearts are
30.MAY.08 Supercity
lacks numbers, but not spirit
23.MAY.08 Frankford
Off-Road Club plays in the mud
23.MAY.08 Soapbox derby
a tradition for Frankford
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celebrates 40th with cake and critters
23.MAY.08 OWL’s make
music and money
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