Artist's Statement

To create is to be an active participant in life.

My textile art is a collaboration of photography,  traditional quilting, and contemporary fiber arts. I love the juxtaposition of the human hand and technology as I create art quilts using digital manipulation, custom fabrics and intricate stitches.

Bio

Suzan holds degrees in Computer Science and Business Administration, as well as a Master’s degree in Fine Arts. She left a career as a Senior Designer at PDR, an architecture firm in Houston, Texas to create her artwork fulltime.  Suzan has taught art at the University of Houston, exhibited her work in numerous galleries and juried shows.   Her art work is included in private collections in the United States and Great Britain.  Suzan is available for commission work and may be reached at suzan@suzanengler.com.

 

Résumé

Education
1997    MFA, University of Houston, Houston, TX
1985    BS in Business Administration, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Professional experience
1999 - present Textile Artist, Panorama Village, TX
1996 - 2010     Senior Interior Designer, PDR Architects, Houston TX
1995 - 1997     Art & Design Teacher, University of Houston, Houston, TX
1985 - 1993     Senior Computer Systems Analyst, Amoco Production Co., Houston TX
1979 - 1981     Owner and Manager, Sue’s House of Decorating, Claremore, OK
1976 - 1979     Seamstress and Stained Glass Artist, Claremore, OK

Exhibitions
2012  Copper Shade Tree Gallery, The Art in Fiber 2012, Round Top TX
2012  Munday Branch Library, Syracuse, NY
2011  Papershell Gallery, Richmond TX
2011  Betz Gallery, Twelve x Twelve, Houston TX
2011  Houston International Quilt Festival, Houston TX
2011  MDAnderson Cancer Quilt Project, Houston TX
2011  Copper Shade Tree, The Art in Fiber 2011, Round Top TX
2010  Houston International Quilt Festival, SAQA Texas Artists, Houston TX
2010 Betz Gallery, Twelve x Twelve, Houston TX
2010 ‘simply irRESISTible’, Some Things Looming, Reading, PA
2010  Great Explorations Children's Museum, St. Petersburg, FL.
2009  International Fiber Initiative, Dream Rocket, Huntsville, AL
2009 Earlyworks Children’s Museum, Huntsville, AL
2008 International Fiber Initiative, Interdependence Tree, Huntsville, AL
1997 Blaffer Gallery, Houston, TX

 

Suzan's Introduction to Fiber Arts

Suzan’s first fiber art was an act of desperation.  Having left a career in Information Technology to follow her dreams and study Fine Arts she realized that some drawing would be involved.  However when the final project for the Drawing 101 class was a self-portrait, she knew that just another charcoal portrait was not the right answer.

The instructor did not mandate the medium so she turned to fabric to “draw” the final project. After years of sewing garments, fabric was a comfortable and intuitive tool.  Black and white fabrics were pieced together creating a background reminiscent of drawing paper and charcoal; fused images formed the portrait.  The instructor was intrigued with this unique approach and Suzan received high marks for the class.  Most importantly, the door to the fiber arts was opened.