About the Artist
My work explores the psychological complexity of human emotion through layered abstraction. Rooted in a lifelong interest in materiality and meaning, I aim to create paintings that evoke a visceral response—a felt sense of being. Colour, mood, and subtle accidents within the surface interact to generate balance, tension, and depth. Each piece invites contemplation, drawing the viewer into an emotional landscape that cannot be easily named but can be deeply felt.
The Creative Process
Having worked extensively in multimedia—sculpting, carving, etching, wrapping, and combining found materials—I have now distilled my process to focus solely on the language of paint. Layer by layer, I build the surface using acrylics, allowing colour relationships and compositional tension to guide the evolution of the work. What once was physical layering of textiles, metals, and encaustics is now a meditative exploration in painted form, where texture is implied and mood is the medium.
Bio and Career Highlights
Susan Leopold is an award-winning illustrator, visual artist, educator, licensed psychotherapist, and Board Certified Creative Arts Therapist. She holds a BFA from the University of Michigan, an MA from the University of California, a Master's in Creative Arts Therapy from Pratt Institute, and an MSW from Smith College. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, including the Museum of American Illustration, the Art Directors Club, and the William F. Eisner Museum of Advertising and Design. Leopold’s work has appeared in Art Revolution, The Art of Feminine Drawing, Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Fiberarts, and Somerset Magazine. She has taught illustration and design at OCAD University, Sheridan College, and Voice Intermediate School.