Susan Kauffmann, Geoganic Creations

Susan Kauffmann is a visual artist and writer living in British Columbia, Canada. Her art has been exhibited in various galleries and can be found in collections in both Canada and the U.S.

First inspired by a desire to create wall art that moved beyond the traditional four-sided frame, Susan's wall sculptures are a unique blend of the geometric and organic. Once described as "Kandinsky gone 3-D", these bold yet elegant sculptures seek to convey movement in the static through the interplay of line, form and color.

Lyre

"Lyre", believe it or not, did not start out as a piece intended to represent a musical instrument, or indeed music in any sense. It began with a simple sketched circle, around which I kept adding shapes that I found compositionally pleasing. Perhaps this is the subconscious influence of my musician brother and many musical friends. Most people immediately see it as an instrument of some nature, but I will never forget the baffled look of an elderly couple who were studying it in a group exhibition. The gentleman turned to his wife and said, "Martha, what in the begeezus do you think this is?", to which she replied, "My goodness, John -- I haven't the slightest idea."

Stride

This piece, called "Stride", was originally inspired by a bunch of curly maple branches I kept in a vase. I saw parts of a full-figured woman in the curving, swirling twigs, and decided that this woman needed to come to life. Ultimately, I made this piece as a tribute to my mother, a beautiful, full-figured woman who loved to dance in her youth.

Aurora Borealis

I have never had the good fortune to see the Northern Lights in all their glory in a prime latitude like Alaska, but I was lucky enough to catch more subtle displays on two occasions in Vancouver. The first time I saw the aurora borealis was at about 2:00 in the morning on a weekday. I was so excited that I ran inside and woke up my two roommates, who were also so excited that they piled into the car with me and we all went down to the beach to stare at the sky in tired but happy awe. Though I believe that no work of art could ever come even vaguely close to capturing the beauty we observed that night, this piece is my humble tribute to that ethereal dance of light in the night sky.

River Jump

Most of my wall sculptures are made from Baltic birch plywood, which is extremely high quality, very expensive, and worth every penny. However, while in a lumber yard one day, I came across a sheet of cheap fir plywood that caught my eye for its remarkable, water-like grain. It was not the type of wood I would normally use for my work, but it was so beautiful that I bought it, thinking that some day, I would make a piece with a water theme and find a way to incorporate it. This piece, called "River Jump", finally allowed that to happen -- with spectacular results. This photo doesn't adequately capture the iridescence that came up out of that wood once it was painted and finished, but it was truly gorgeous, proving that once again, there is no artist equal to the astounding beauty of nature.

This piece also allowed me to indulge my great love of horses, creatures that are, in many ways, like water itself. Both are fluid and ever changing, mysterious, deep and swift. A horse jumping a river was an image that came to me when I was trying to teach my own horse, Gryphon, to go through water-filled ditches and small creeks. Gryphon would inevitably "go Pegasus" on me, making enormous, heart-in-your-throat leaps over the water to avoid getting his feet wet. To this day he prefers to jump water rather than go through it, and he twirls his head in indignant rage when the rain dares to fall on him.

"Thank You"

Throughout my journey as an artist, there have been certain individuals who have encouraged and supported me when I needed it the most. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their steadfast belief in me -- even when I didn't always believe in myself.

- To my mother, from whom I inherited whatever intellectual and artistic talents I may possess: Thank you for always encouraging my pursuit of the arts, and for still proudly displaying the horse I drew when I was seven "and a half". Your strength and courage is an inspiration.

- To my father, the self-proclaimed (and elected for life) President of my "fan club": Dad, there are no words to express what your love and faith mean to me. I think it has always been your dream to make my dreams come true. Thank you for doing everything a parent and a friend could ever do to try to make that happen.

- To Susan Rifkin, whose joyous presence is a gift to all who know her: Thank you so much for the happiness you bring to my father, and for getting in my corner with your energy and support. You are someone who makes a difference.

- To my dear friends, Donald Arseneau and Simon Fortin: Though you are both completely unique individuals, you are alike in being kind, sweet and generous friends who have gone far beyond the call of friendship with your care and support. Simon, I miss you and wish you would get yer lightning-researching butt back out here to the West Coast. Donald, you are an angel covered in malamute fuzzle -- what would I ever do without you?

- To my lifelong, bestest ever friend, Theresa (aka "Topa") : I have one thing and one thing only to say: "This is the One Bingy Monsta! Bingy bingy bingy, be bingy...The Bingy Monsta was here, the Bingy Monsta strikes again -- tell everybody...Woo Woo Woo!" Well, I suppose I could add, "Here comes Diboz Gyumaloz, oppin down the byumaloz, ibbidy obbidy dibozzes on their way..." and the immortal wisdom of "Meat nor jink nor chicken pock!" Thanks for being (almost) as wierd as I am.

- To Callon Zukowski, who drove me mad with his talent and forced me to learn so much about art and myself: Thank you for being who you were...and I'm so happy for you that you have become who you are.

- And last but certainly not least, to Michaelane, my sweet, wonderful partner: Thank you for the myriad little things, the many big things, and for all the immeasurable things. Thank you especially for accepting my faults and foibles, for always being so incredibly thoughtful, for understanding my craziness (horses and otherwise), and for standing by me, even when I make mistakes. I love you...and feel so blessed that you love me.