Susan Adams has been living and painting in Costa Rica since 1995, finding unending sources of inspiration. Graduating from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in commercial art, and having studied with the likes of Scott Burdick and Tom Browning, Susan is an award-winning artist, including Best of Show 2002 Corpus Christi Independent, first place in Great Texas Birding Classic, and selected for Southern Living’s Green Home Showcase, Cinnamon Shores 2009.

Whether traveling throughout the world, or within Costa Rica, scenic beauty is very inspiring for Susan; says Adams, “I’m not sure if I travel to paint, or paint to travel. My camera and laptop are integral parts of my process.” It can take Susan two days to get the canvas primed and ready to paint; and sometimes a week before she actually starts painting. Her subjects can be a Guanacaste horse tope or fiesta, persons, places, and all types of animals. Though portraiture is her first and constant means of expression, she finds nature exquisite, and at all times perfect. Having been a schoolteacher and book illustrator, Susan hopes that future generations and technology will correct what past generations have done to destroy large parts of our planet. She strives to take you into her paintings, enjoying a moment in nature.

Of her newest exhibit, “Costa Rica Mia,” Adams says, “How can one capture the essence of Costa Rica on canvas: from its magnificent nature to the people, their culture, and traditional way of life? For this show I have selected subjects taken from my immediate world here in Guanacaste: the oxen, solid, loyal, and patient, pulling stones out of the creek, uprooting trees and hauling carts of fence-posts at the edge of Playa Tamarindo. I am constantly amazed at nature’s complexity and brilliance, hoping to capture a moment that connects us to a jaguar lying unaware or playing.” Her techniques include stucco, gesso, acrylics, metallic paints and oils, and her images come to life on canvasses and banana papers, sometimes doors and windows.

According to Interior Architect, Xyanna Bateau, Adams brings the real and natural images of Costa Rica to life in her work.  With her unique canvas technique and talent for color, shadow and natural nuance, Susan brings “the soft”, the wild, and the real” to one’s interior.  The translucent jungle leaf in a mist, the curious face of the monkey, the haunting gaze of the jaguar all pulse from her hand to create the real images and culture of what is Costa Rica.  

You can meet artist Susan Adams in person at the opening of “Costa Rica Mia,” on Saturday, August 4th from 10 am to 4 pm. The exhibit continues through September 14th, at the Hidden Garden Art Gallery, located 5 kms. west of the Daniel Oduber Liberia International Airport (towards the beaches).

For more information visit www.hiddengarden.thevanstonegroup.com, or call at 8386/6872 / 8386-6968.