SDH Fine Art
Watercolour & Acrylic Paintings, Prints & Cards
@ Susan Hartry Art
by Susan Hartry
Site Updated: October 2023
About the Artist
Bristol born, I have been keen on drawing and painting from an early age, however, following a Grammar School education I trained and subsequently worked at Rolls-Royce Filton as a Private Secretary throughout the 1970s, before taking a 15 year career break to raise my four children. During that time my ability with a paintbrush came in very handy at Party time creating large sized props and backdrops, and any accessory to suit the need or theme as Party Shops didn't exist then - my natural sewing ability was also handy making fancy dress costumes to match.
In the early to mid 1990s, with my young family all at Primary School, I worked as Principal of Home Handicrafts in a diverse Arts and Crafts environment managing three separate disciplines from home: Sewing - making Bridalwear, repairs and alterations, soft furnishings, and fabric Gifts sold via Party Plan as Frills & Lace; part time Registered Childminder; and baking and hand painting Celebration Cakes with designs ranging from childrens' favourite characters, flowers, and hobbies to all sorts of transportation. Many were given as gifts to family and friends, but as word got around many were also sold but as they have all been eaten only the photographs remain. I was approached to write an Instructional Book on the technique I had developed, from painting with neat food colourings directly onto royal or glace icing, but declined due to a serious lack of time as during that period I was also a School Govenor, member of the PTA, Secretary for the local Hall Committee, and frequent Volunteer Playgroup 'Helper' getting messy with paints with the under 5s ! ... as well as being Mum - it is needless to say that I have never been bored !
My Cake Art came to an end when I returned to Rolls-Royce in 1995. I did, however, attend three seasons of a Summer Learning Course in Watercolours, at the Company Training Department; tutored by Bristol Savages President, Artist Pat Shipsides - then an Art Lecturer at the City of Bristol College. I enjoyed it immensely, not least that it was great to get back to painting on paper again. Though, it wasn't until I left secretarial work altogether in 2004 to pursue a lifestyle change, that I finally had time to dedicate to my Art - and keep my professional skills tuned in more creative typing projects on my new laptop. Our purchase of a holiday lodge on the shores of Windermere in the Lake District, gave us a cosy home from home with stunning lake and fell views, and ultimately an amazing 10 year Lakeland experience. Now you can't live in the Lake District and not go out walking, but my husband was the serious fell bagger so often I would stay around Windermere taking photographs or painting back at the lodge - which we affectionately named Ashthwaite - our own 'clearing in the wood'. For that reason, for the past 10 years, my work has been mainly watercolour due to its ease of transportation between our two home bases, with a few projects using acrylics on canvas presenting an occasional welcome change, and admin projects such as bespoke Wedding Table Seating Plans and Creative Writing thrown in for good measure.
Joining the Windermere Art Society was another big step forward.
The positive response I received from showing in their 2009 Exhibition encouraged me to go commercial again under the banner of SDH'Art55 (my age at the time). Selling Prints of my work through local outlets my Lake District Series is
collectively known as
ASHTHWAITE ART
Attending a less formal Art Group in Windermere was also to have a significant impact on my future Art Career. The group who still meet at the Marchesi Centre in Windermere is essentially untutored, though a resident professional artist is on hand to give an expert critique and guidance when needed. Most were amazingly talented but simply enjoyed meeting up to work together on their own projects at their own pace. It's here that I met professional Mountain Artist Marilyn Tordoff, whose love of her subject eminates through her work. Our styles are very different so I could never aspire to compete with Marilyn but her encouragement will stay with me forever. As will one of the loveliest ladies I have ever met, Honor Pullen, who in her 90s was positively inspirational. Honor not only encouraged me, as they all did, but she took me on her own artistic journey with an extensive and diverse portfolio of artworks mapping out her travels in days before pocket cameras were common place; and the diaries and stories of her mother Enid Pease Robinson and her association with the famous Staithes Artists. It's not just practical help you need sometimes but someone or something that gives you the confidence to carry on regardless !!
The Marchesi Group also inspired me to start a similar Art Group closer to my Bristol base, adding an extra dimension to my Art. After submitting an article 'Calling All Local Artists', published in the Bradley Stoke Matters Community Magazine, I Founded the South Gloucestershire Stokes Art Group in November 2011. Born out of the SAG, which is an informal non profit Community group, I have been able to continue my Professional skills of typing, administration and event organisation; and enhance my computer skills even more by designing and developing Websites, online Newsletters and Art Galleries; using Social Media such as Facebook and Twitter to showcase the Members' Artworks, and not least promote my own. All creative - and right up my street !
As an Annual Award for the Stokes Art Group I devised the now established Jam Jar Prize, which has been extremely well supported and now coveted by its members, including myself having now won it twice, 2012 & 2014. I have also won a few of our seasonal Project Competitions. To find out more about the SAG - Click the Icon image opposite to visit the group website.
Although I occasionally paint outdoors, I generally work from my own photographs, only sourcing other reference material to suit a need when necessary. In all instances Copyright for all artworks offered for sale is rightfully mine; as is Copyright of Commissions when worked from supplied photographs, although the photograph itself remains the property of the Customer. Copyright of Artworks created directly from sourced images used with permissions granted is also owned by me, in those instances due credits are given to the photographer in the descriptive details of the artwork.
My last painting session in the Lake District on the balcony of Ashthwaite, in June 2015. Windermere looking toward the Fairfield Horseshoe and Loughrigg in Acrylics on a box canvas.
To see the finished work 'Windermere Autumn Sunset & Early Winter Snow' - go to the
Gallery Page/Ashthwaite Art
- S
stokesart0/wix.com/stokes-art-group
FACEBOOK @ facebook.com/stokesartgroup
​
In 2015 we handed over our cherished retreat 'Ashtwaite' to new owners, and left the Lakes for good. It's true to say we will miss everything about our Lodge Life, even the challenges of running it as a holiday rental, but mostly we will miss the beautiful Lake District; though no doubt will return occasionally as a Tourist. However it was time to move on and look for different challenges, and new horizons.
In the same way my art has to find a new direction, hence the introduction of 'SDH Fine Art' which will also bring my typing skills back into play again by offering creative admin services in the form of Seating Plans, Newsletters, etc. So I am really looking forward to the next phase of my artistic journey - and you are more than welcome to come along with me !!
'Follow' me on Facebook & Twitter at SDH Fine Art by Susan Hartry
@susanhartryart
CHEERS x