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Light Becomes Her
by Vanessa Reichartinger
Conabee
(Reprinted with permission from Park City Arts magazine,
Summer 2003 issue.)
 Bright eyes
shining, painter Susan Swartz pauses for a moment to clarify the point
she is making. For Swartz, being in nature is a continued opportunity
to understand the relationship between the divine and the living world.
The labor of the work she dedicates herself to, from the moment she enters
the natural setting to decisions she makes regarding use of light, brush
stroke and color, is all part of a greater effort to convey beauty, and
at a larger level, the universal forces that allow it to exist.
"People
really need to take the time to enjoy everyday living. I really hope
people can use my work to bring back the moments, the joy that nature
inspires," Swartz concludes simply, although a greater
philosophical doctrine underlies her motivation and increasing success.
Born
into a family of musicians and artists, Swartz was raised to appreciate
the power of the expressive and creative arts. Forever grateful to
her family and a high school teacher who recognized and encouraged her
painting, Swartz majored in art education in college, teaching art in
her basement and at a local high school. Although her formal painting
and exhibition was postponed as she raised her family, Swartz "never
stopped painting in [her) head."
 "The
miracle of nature always astonished me. Raising my children only helped
illuminate it. Why did God make that purple tonight, or the autumn
leaves red and yellow? Questions a child might ask. These are the mysteries
for which I don't ever want answers - but they are the questions I
aspire to answer in my painting. I am grateful for the time I have spent
in nature with my husband and family. It allowed us to be together in
ways that helped define my children's moral imaginations and happiest
memories,"
Swartz's artist statement reads, "When 1 am in nature I am soothed
and awed by its perfection. It is in nature that I am quiet and still.
We live in such a fast-paced world that we sometimes forget the gifts
of stillness. I see God's hand everywhere and I am reminded of how
sacred and fragile life is. I yearn to paint what He has created and
hope when people look at my work they will feel His peace." looking
at Swartz's work, one certainly feels the peace she aspires to. A study
of Northern Utah.
A gorgeous, light-filled aspen groves captures every
season in fluid, shining brilliance. Blue and violet-toned winter
scenes are clean and strong, independent next to the dazzling gold warmth
and youthful splendor of her autumn and summer settings.
 In
the past five years, Swartz's graceful alpine landscapes have attracted
international attention, appearing in corporate and private collections
in France, Germany and Japan. Last year, Governor Leavitt recognized
Swartz as Utah's Mansion Artist of the Year. As part of the commemorative
Olympic poster program, the Salt Lake Olympic Committee commissioned
Swartz to create a piece as Utah's designated environmental artist.
Swartz's view of the Timpanogos Mountain Range, "Sunset at
Soldier Hollow,"
was auctioned at an Olympic fundraiser to raise $150,000 for Olympic
Aid, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting athletes and
programs that support emerging athletes.
"When they first asked
me to do the work, I had never painted Mt. Timpanogos before. When
I went to do some preliminary sketches, the light and mood were always
different. That winter it didn't start to snow until November."
In
an effort to capture the Olympic theme of fire and ice, Swartz
eventually settled on the sunset, capturing both the warmth of the sun
and the icy grandeur of the mountain range. The entire experience, from
the honor of creating the commission, the significance of the work, and
the success of the auction, left a lasting impression.
"I will never
forget that night," Swartz recalls with a smile.
"It was so exciting. I couldn't believe it when the bidding got
up to $90,000. When it passed $100,000, there were two people on die
phone, and the winning bid was $150,000. To hove the opportunity to
contribute that much to the foundation was absolutely incredible,"
 Swartz
remains unaffected by her success, recalling a time earlier this year
when she and her husband drove by Phoenix Gallery and saw a painting
she had recently completed displayed in the front window.
"When
I saw my painting in the window, I got so excited I got tears in
my eyes," Swartz confesses, taking a moment to praise gallery
owner Judi Grenney. "Judi has been so wonderful. 1 selected her
gallery because she really supports the artists she represents. I've
been so thrilled. From an artist standpoint, there's a relationship
that is very important in who is representing you and your work. Having
someone understand you, who you are and how you conceive of your work,
is very important."
Phoenix Gallery, located next to the Post Office
on Main Street, is as idyllic a setting as an artist could find,
with three levels of rich wood floors and warm brick walls evoking a
relaxed and elegant backdrop for a wide spectrum of artists' work. "Sometimes
in galleries you get intimidated because of the placement-either
it is too austere or too crowded,"
Swartz reflects. Judi's design gives a better sense of the artwork
in a livable setting."
 Comfortable
with the location she has chosen for her work, Swartz's goal is to
keep herself from getting too comfortable. "I want to keep pushing
myself; I don't ever want to be caught in a niche. I want to keep learning.
If I keep moving, I won't lose interest. I never want to stop changing,"
she revealed, sharing a vision she's been carrying in the back of her
mind for some time. "I'd love to paint the rain - the gray and
silver colors and the mood." She pauses for a moment, lost in
the possibilities of the not-yet-painted work. "I know where my
heart is. My work would be rewarding to me even if people weren't purchasing
it. I would still be painting because I need to. It becomes who you
are."
Susan Swartz originals are available at The Phoenix
Gallery, 508 Main Street in Park City.
Maine native Vanessa Reichartinger
Conabee has held a variety of jobs in Park City over the last seven years,
including waitress, hostess, painter, gallery sales assistant, bookstore
cleric, newspaper writer and editor, restaurant owner, marketing and
development director, and non-profit consultant.
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