How North Turramurra artist Suzanne Lane captures the North Shore's bushland

With lush bush landscapes or fast paced cities, the North Shore is an artist’s retreat. Its surroundings are the perfect palette for local painter and member of the Ku-Ring-Gai Art Society, Suzanne Lane. Lane’s work is an ode to the Australian landscape, with bold hues and soft washes of colour bringing the bush alive on canvas.

Lane's journey from the classroom to the canvas is a testament to her lifelong passion for art and the deep connection she feels to the Australian landscape. Her works capture not only the beauty of the North Shore's bushland but also the emotional resonance of nature itself. With every brushstroke, she invites viewers to experience the atmosphere of her surroundings, offering a fresh perspective on the familiar scenes that surround her. Through her continued exhibitions and collaborations, she has proven the journey of creation is as boundless as the landscape itself.

Speaking to the North Shore Lorikeet, Lane delved into her interesting life story, exhibiting in major exhibitions like the Archibald prize, and her keen interest in her surroundings.

The North Shore Lorikeet: How did you get into artmaking? 

Suzanne Lane: I was a secondary school Visual Arts teacher for many years and my passion has always been painting.

During the late 1960s I completed a Diploma of Art Education at the National Art School in Sydney and I exhibited widely in the 70s, including joint exhibitions with my artist mother, Helen French-Kennedy. I was also a finalist in major exhibitions such as the Archibald, Sulman and Portia Geach Prizes. The following decades were devoted to raising a family and developing my students’ creativity in local Sydney high schools. Since retiring I have been able to return to my first love: painting.

Describe your practice/concepts.

My artworks always refer to an object or subject that has inspired me, but I try to create atmosphere and express my emotional response to the subject rather than replicate it. I am always conscious of the fact that I am representing an illusion of a 3D object on a 2D surface.

In my artmaking practice the technique of contrasting free, gestural, fluid brushstrokes against hard-edged, stencilled, flat shapes explores combinations of differing ways of representation. Composition is the key, but I am forever exploring new techniques.

 Are you inspired by your surroundings in the North Shore? How does place come into play in your works?

Making connections with the bushland adjoining my North Turramurra home has been one positive during the pandemic era. The visiting native animals have been my “friends in iso”. “Getting back to nature” is a bit of a cliché but does truly provide solace, quiet contemplation and inspiration.

There is endless inspiration in the ever-changing bushland environment. I suddenly see a familiar scene from a new perspective or in a different light; the local creek, tree ferns and angophoras. I like to focus on the patterns in nature and to create atmosphere in my works. The birds and animals are often present around our house, we even had to chase a lyrebird, turkey and water dragon out of the house on occasion!

Do you have any exciting projects coming up?

I am always looking for new opportunities to exhibit my work. An artist is similar to an actor in that both need an audience to complete the cycle and each artwork is a different experience for each viewer.

When I retired I joined the Ku-ring-gai Art Society and became an active member of a robust and supportive community of artists and art lovers. As a member of the exhibition team we install three exhibitions a year, supported by the St Ives Shopping Village. The local North Shore community are amazing lovers of the arts and eagerly welcome our exhibitions. I also exhibit widely at other galleries and exhibitions around Sydney.

I am also looking forward to painting trips to other locations with friends in our artist community. Spending time away with other artists is always fun and inspiring. The Hunter Valley has been a favourite.  

Do you have a favourite work of yours you'd like to feature?

An artwork that embodies my current techniques and bushland themes is The Elusive Lyrebird. My painting interprets the bush both literally, as a tree fern glade, and metaphorically as both barrier and permeable screen of many layers. The space is ambiguous, the colours rich and vibrant, inviting the viewer to enter and connect. The lyrebird is often heard but sometimes elusive, dancing between the trees, leaving echoes in its wake.

All Images supplied.