Poems in Pastel

Susan Hunter Guise

I find myself gravitating towards two themes of late, nature and Japanese culture. Poems in Pastel weaves those themes together with visual works and haiku.

A devoted landscape artist, I am drawn to the way light filters through trees, the softness of mist over water. My impressionistic style combines bold mark-making with delicate detail, balancing rich colour and subtle texture and capturing landscapes, seascapes, and beachscapes.

I’m also learning shodo, or Japanese calligraphy. My love of Japan was sparked during a business trip to Tokyo 20 years ago when I was charmed by kabuki theatre and tea ceremonies, but more importantly Japan’s emphasis on community over the individual. Zen meditation is now an important part of my life.

This exhibition is made up of 17 pastel paintings, each accompanied by a haiku created specifically for that work, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and discover the serenity woven into a piece.

The result, Poems in Pastel, represents me. Happiest standing in the Canadian woods with my easel and canvas, while inspired by a Japanese outlook.

Susan Hunter Guise is a Canadian artist working in oils and pastels. She enjoys painting plein air, as well as working in the studio.

Based in Barrie, Ontario, Susan has exhibited her work across Simcoe County and in Toronto, and continues to explore new ways to combine art, poetry, and mindfulness in her creative journey.