“I believe there are no true boundaries in life but the ones we have learned. I seek to portray a unique and imaginative way to show all form as in flux and all boundaries as permeable. ”
About
Artist's Statement
My art centers on the interplay between surrealism and abstraction, exploring the dynamic tension that arises when conflicting concepts are juxtaposed to create something new. I am fascinated by playing with opposites in imagery—particularly those related to the focus of human awareness, translated into visual form. My work asks, What do we think about, and how can these thoughts be presented through imagery?
Themes I like to explore include womanhood in all its phases of life, as well as a playful critique of humanity’s growing dependence on technology and its deep entanglement with industry. These subjects serve as fertile ground for examining identity, transformation, and the complex relationship between human experience and the modern world.
To me, the appeal of Surrealism and Abstraction is closely intertwined. Surrealism captures pure thought and imagery without reason or filtering, while abstraction conveys feeling and movement beyond form or logic. Both genres offer a free and intuitive mode of self-expression that bypasses conventional boundaries.
In my surrealist works, I strive to express thoughts and experiences that are hidden from others—putting the inside on the outside, so to speak. These pieces are unfiltered glimpses into the subconscious, revealing the mind’s secret landscapes. In contrast, my abstract pieces channel emotions and expressions that I often suppress in daily life—the beautiful and the ugly, the refined and the raw—all woven together to create layered emotional resonance.
Technically, I combine oil paint with mixed media techniques, using vivid colors and strong contrasts to breathe energy and atmosphere into each piece. I often focus either on pure abstraction or on the interplay between human faces and figures and other symbolic elements. High contrast and rich metaphorical content are recurring features, ensuring that each work invites deep and multifaceted engagement.
My inspiration draws from admiration of fellow artists and a sustained interest in Eastern philosophies and consciousness studies. These timeless ideas are reinterpreted within the context of our highly digitalized world—reflecting on humanity’s complex, and sometimes excessive, engagement with technological progress.
What sets my work apart is its lively execution and the harmonious fusion of diverse media with traditional portrait methods. Through this approach, I invite viewers into an active conversation that challenges flat perspectives and expands the boundaries of form and thought. Ultimately, my art seeks to remind observers of the intricate connections that bind us and to encourage a holistic view of the multiple dimensions of human awareness.
Biography
Susan Magine charted an unconventional path to the art world. Though descended from a lineage of artists, she first established herself as a writer and blogger while raising two children. Eventually, she embraced her artistic calling and refined her skills at the Milan Art Institute.
Since starting her professional art career in 2022, Susan has gained acclaim in Southern California for her unique blend of abstract realism and vibrant storytelling. Her work—chiefly in oil and mixed media—fuses bold strokes with ethereal details, dissolving boundaries to explore themes of interconnectedness and transformation. Through her pieces, Susan invites viewers to engage with the fluid interplay of nature, humanity, technology, and industry.
Susan creates from her in-home studio. Her current projects continue to explore a commitment to making statements on modern-day life, with a special focus on womanhood—its complexities, struggles, and strengths within contemporary society. Ambitious to grow her presence both in galleries and online, she is dedicated to expanding her artistic influence. Her art is often displayed at galleries throughout Southern California.
Outside of her art, Susan's love of family and diverse hobbies further enrich her creativity. She believes in art's power to transform society, aiming to evoke new experiences and perspectives through her work. In Susan’s vision, each piece is an invitation to explore and transcend the unseen boundaries of thought and reality.