Local painter, Tina Suter is just one of the artists exhibiting at this week’s Darfield Art Week which runs until 20 October at the Darfield Recreation Centre.
Tina Suter has been painting for over twenty-five years and she has two pieces on show at the Darfield Art Week. She specialises in both landscape and abstract realism – and is happiest when creating her pieces with oils. She also works in mixed media on resin.
She spoke to Toi Ōtautahi about her creative process and what inspires her.
How would you describe what you do?
I’d describe myself as a painter. An oil painter mostly. I’m self-taught and have been painting now for more than twenty-five years. It’s my great love.
What was your most recent project?
Actually, an oil painting that’s exhibiting in the Art Week – it’s a piece called ‘Stormy Night’ and it’s a seascape that I was inspired to paint this year after I had two very sad losses, so it came out of my own grief. It has about five layers to it and a lot of depth, which seems kind of appropriate given how it come into being.
What project have you worked on that you’re the most proud of?
I worked on a piece for about six months that required a lot of effort – as it needed dry time for all the layers of oil. It was of a sunset, a particularly moody sunset, but I was really proud of the way it turned out. It had a lot of emotion in it, and I was able to capture the light, which added a lot of depth. I really loved that particular piece.
What is essential for creatives to have in their life?
Imagination is crucial. For me personally, and I wouldn’t recommend it to anybody else, but I often find my most productive times come out of really challenging situations, such as grief or loss. Those difficult times seem to create my best work, and I find I can channel a lot of emotion into my work, and it helps both the piece and I guess me at the same time. It’s a cathartic process and a great way to express feeling in a way that words sometimes can’t convey.
What inspires you about Ōtautahi?
I live by the sea. I love the water, I love nature. I run in the local reserve and so I’m inspired every day by the sunsets over the water and the swans and the birds in the estuary. I’m also a big fan of trees and they often turn up in my paintings.
What piece of advice about your creative work has served you well?
Never give up. Over the years, I’ve had plenty of times where I haven’t felt inspired and at those times I’ve felt that maybe I should just stop painting and do something else. But then I’ll get someone come along and tell me that my work is good, and that inspires me to keep going. I’m so glad I never gave it up, because now I’m really proud of what I do and how I’ve progressed and the fact that I’m now able to sell my work feels like a vindication for having persevered.
What’s the biggest misconception about your creative work?
This probably isn’t a misconception – but perhaps people think I follow traditional forms and techniques, when actually, I don’t follow the rules. Traditionally there are certain rules in painting such as you should always paint three birds not two – well, I will paint two birds. I just paint what comes from my mind whether it’s technically correct in a traditional sense or not.
What Christchurch artists do you admire?
I really like Ruth Killoran. She paints from her heart and is passionate about being vegan and caring for animals and the environment.
What artwork/piece of music/performance has taken your breath away?
Kate Bush’s ‘Moving’ – I often paint to this song, and it really resonates with me.
What do you wish you’d have known about creative work when you were younger?
That I loved it as much as I do. It took until my late twenties to realise that my biggest love is painting.
How would you describe your works?
It’s hard to describe your own work, but I’ve been told that my paintings have a similar feeling to Turner. They’re often referred to as very moody with a darkness that seems to appeal to a lot of people. I would say that they also contain a lot of hope.
What advice would you give someone who wanted to paint as a career?
If you love what you are doing and are passionate about it don’t let anybody put you off or stop you. Always do what you love.
What’s next for you?
To keep painting and I’d like to enter more exhibitions.
Where can people find your art?
They can find me on facebook here: tinasuterart
Or on Instagram here: tinasuter_art