Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Srour Chiang.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
When my father Ed Srour – a lifelong hobby carpenter – gave me my first drill in 2001 and showed me how to use it, I was hooked. It was empowering for me, as a young woman, to build things with my own two hands. I quickly built up a decent tool collection so I could satisfy this urge I had to make things for myself. While out shopping I would see furniture, wooden art pieces and sculptures, or bookcases, and think to myself, “I could make that with better quality.” Soon I was creating all sorts of unique pieces for my home and for friends and family, which I continue today in a professional capacity.
As an engineering major in college, and someone who loves math and working with numbers, woodworking is the perfect blend of the technical and creative for me. I am forever grateful to my father for introducing me to woodworking, and for my friends and family who have guided me along this path.
Please tell us about your art.
I create geometric, dimensional wall art from wood. While I strive to stick to a minimum of 25%-50% raw wood in each piece, I do use various oil and water-based stains and pigments to create shapes and pops of color in my art. I also create unique, extra-large charcuterie boards from single plank hardwoods and live-edge slab wood furniture pieces.
I am inspired in a big way just from being in nature. I also draw inspiration from tribal and folk-art patterns that I see in vintage rugs, basketry, and ceramics. I have been an avid succulent gardener for about 10 years, and I have filled my front yard with them. I find the sculptural look of succulents to be pleasing to the eye and I am guided in my artwork by the proportions of some of my favorite sculptural succulents and cacti.
What I love most about wood is that there are set boundaries within which one must stay, so there’s always a challenge to get the look I’m after. I am inspired by the textures, hues, and shapes found in the deserts, mountains, and coastlines of California. My senses are heightened when I visit wild places. I come home buzzed, with a revved up creative spirit. I find creating art and functional pieces from wood are a great release for me after being immersed in the wilderness.
Each piece I create holds in it a piece of my infinite heart. I am truly honored to share my passion with others, and I am filled with joy when a customer sends me a photo of my artwork inside their home.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
For me, my art was always a passion and a hobby. It has only become a professional pursuit recently, and I feel that I have enough experience that I can charge what I feel my art is worth, rather than selling myself short. The bottom line is to gain plenty of experience in your craft first, so that when you’ve become an expert, you have the ability to recognize when a project is not going to be worth it for you. I think realistically, especially in Southern California, beginning artists will most likely need to work a full-time or part-time job, while simultaneously honing their craft on the side. This doesn’t have to go on forever, but I do think it’s important to gain the sturdy financial footing first, so that the artist can then springboard professionally without selling him/herself short.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I work closely with local interior designer Kelly Halfaker, and much of my work ends up in the private homes of Mrs. Halfaker’s clientele. I also have a good portion of my work in my guest house, which is listed on Airbnb. My website is a great place to take a look at my portfolio of work and to buy any of my available pieces: www.susansrour.com.
Contact Info:
- Address: PO Box 1242
La Mesa, CA 91944 - Website: www.susansrour.com
- Phone: (619)764-8300
- Email: susansrour@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sue_dimensional/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.srourchiang
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanSrour
Image Credit:
Stephen Chiang
Susan Srour Chiang
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