Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzanne Frazier.
Hi Suzanne, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In January 1990, I began working as a full time artist, after graduating from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a BFA Degree in Studio Arts. My creative process arises from my integration of my BFA degree in Studio Arts with my BA degree in Philosophy to create a philosophical/meditative approach to art making.
I rented my first studio in the warehouse district in North Boulder. Shortly after that, a friend asked me to be her art teacher, I began teaching Contemplative Art Classes, I hadn’t planned on becoming an art teacher, but I found I enjoy sharing my knowledge about creating art. Since that beginning, I have taught over 300 students in my studio.
I have taught Contemplative Art Retreats at many retreat centers in Colorado and at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico.
My oil paintings have been exhibited in countless exhibitions throughout the Denver Metropolitan area. From 2019 – 2023, I was a founding and exhibiting member of D’art Gallery in the Art District on Santa Fe. I am a member of the Women’s Colorado Art Museum and have shown in several of their exhibitions. My work is in private collections in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.
In September 2015, I published, Contemplative Art, a book describing my meditative painting process and definition for contemplative art amid images of my cloud paintings. The link to view the book is: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com/book/2656/contemplative-art
I continue to teach water-mixable oil painting and oil pastel drawing classes in my studio in Longmont. For the past three years, I have opened my studio for the Boulder County Open Studios Tour and the East Boulder County Studio Tour. During the tours, individuals can purchase art directly from me and sign up for art classes or Saturday Creativity Art Workshops.
My oil paintings and class/workshop information are available at: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com
I enjoy sharing my work and my perspectives on creating work from a contemplative point-of-view.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to becoming a full time artist and art teacher has had many detours along the way.
I was declared in the Sixth Grade a “gifted art student”. As a result, I took after school drawing lessons until the art teacher started to draw on my work, ‘making corrections”. After experiencing her “corrections” a few times, I couldn’t handle the art teacher changing my expression and I quit.
In college, I planned to major in Art, but my father refused to spend his money on art classes, saying I couldn’t make a living as an artist. Instead, I graduated in 1969 with a BA Degree in Philosophy with Honors. (My father was happy.) I went on to attend Graduate School at the University of Virginia, but didn’t finish. I was constantly told that no one would hire a woman to be a Philosophy Professor. So…. what was the point.
I moved to Denver Colorado and began a career in radio, as a Promotions Director. I hit the “glass ceiling” at the radio station, so I found new employment at an airline at Stapleton Airport. My last position at the airline was as the first woman “Ramp Supervisor” at Stapleton Airport.
In 1986 at the age of 40, I decided to quit my job and return to art school. I had saved up enough money to pay for tuition, I enrolled for a Summer School Session at Denver University. At the end of Summer School, I was invited to register for classes. The next year, I transferred to the University of Colorado where I graduated with a BA Degree in Studio Arts in 1989.
While at CU, I had an interesting experience in 1988, during a conference on “Art Careers” at the Denver Art Museum, one of the speakers informed the crowd that any woman over the age of 40 would never “make it” in the art world. There just wasn’t room for an older women’s perspective in the competitive world of art. As a 42 year old woman, I didn’t listen and decided to prove the speaker was “misinformed”. This particular experience has spurred me on to work even harder to become a professional artist……at least to prove him wrong.
Since 1990, my oil paintings have been exhibited in countless exhibitions throughout the Denver Metropolitan area. From 2019 – 2023, I was a founding and exhibiting member of D’art Gallery in the Art District on Santa Fe. I am a member of the Colorado Women’s Art Museum and have shown my work at many of their exhibitions. The Museum has purchased one of my paintings for their collection of women’s art. My work is in private collections in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan.
In 2021, I arranged for a solo exhibition at D’art Gallery called “Suzanne Frazier Retrospective: 5 Decades of Art”. I created the retrospective of my work since the 1980’s in my own exhibition, since I knew as a woman , I would probably never be asked to have a retrospective. This is an example of removing an “obstacle” to achieve my destiny.
In 2026, I continue to remove “obstacles” to my career goals and exhibit my creative expression.
In February 2027, I will exhibit my oil paintings in a Solo Exhibition in Gallery East at D’art Gallery in the Art District on Santa Fe. I’m calling the exhibition: “80/40 – Half a Lifetime Creating by Suzanne Frazier “. For the last 40 years I have been creating art. My 80th birthday celebration will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 1 – 4 pm.
The “obstacles” encouraged me, instead of getting in the way.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Since 1990, I have enjoyed employing a unique perspective in my creative work as a “Contemplative Artist”. For me, “Contemplative Art” is the product of creative expression rising from the pure joy of creating, grounded in a meditative connection to the radiance and perfection of spirit known only through one’s experience of being fully human.
During a contemplative experience one does not observe anything specific but rather a feeling emerges from the meditation. Likewise, I choose to create work that does not refer to any specific location or time but rather the work is the time and location. I choose instead to invite the viewer into my meditation of my collected emotional responses from residing in Colorado since 1972.
In addition to creating oil paintings, between 2005 – 2021, I wrote articles for magazines, regarding my perspective and process. The nine articles are posted on my website at: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com/articles
In 2015, I published the book, Contemplative Art, describing my meditative painting process and definition for contemplative art. It is available online at: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com/book/2656/contemplative-art
In 2019, I became a Founding Member of D’art Gallery in the Art District on Santa Fe. Between 2019 and before I ‘retired” from the gallery in 2023, I exhibited in solo exhibitions 5 times in 4 years. In 2023, I was juried into Open Studios in Boulder County and have exhibited with this organization. I participate in the East Boulder County Artists Studio Tour each Spring. I am a member of the Women’s Caucus for Art – Colorado Chapter and exhibit with this organization. I am a member of the Colorado Women’s Art Museum and have shown my work at many of their exhibitions. The Museum has purchased one of my paintings for their collection of women’s art.
In February 2027, I will exhibit my oil paintings in a Solo Exhibition in Gallery East at D’art Gallery in the Art District on Santa Fe. I’m calling the exhibition: “80/40 – Half a Lifetime Creating by Suzanne Frazier “. For the last 40 years I have been creating art. My 80th birthday celebration will be held on Sunday, February 21 from 1 – 4 pm.
As a Contemplative Artist, I am inspired by “Life”…..
……………with a capital “L”!
I am inspired by the world that we live in:
The Earth in all her beauty.
The Night Sky filled with wonder.
The Seasons that bring change to our lives.
The Community of Artists surrounding all of us.
The Community of Friends who share their thoughts, fears and love of life.
The Neighborhood filled with trees and gardens of flowers.
The Spiritual Community I meditate with.
The Community Garden I grow my veggies in.
As an artist, I live in a world of unique colors:
Shadows are not grey, they are filled with subtle color.
Clouds are not just “white”, they are filled with color. And sometimes we are blessed with seeing Sun Dog Clouds!
Trees are not all the same color of “green”. Each species’ leaves express unique hues of green and each have a unique shape.
Flowers are Nature’s dance of color. (One can learn color theory from flowers!)
No two people’s skin tone are the same color. Everyone has a unique hue to their face.
And…everyone has a special smile
We are living in a cornucopia of colors, sound, smells and shapes.
For me, Art is a vehicle for exploring the exterior and interior landscape of our existence on this planet.
All of these experiences inspire my artwork, with different paintings presenting different inspirations.
That is why I call myself a “Contemplative Artist”.
With each painting, I invite you into my shared contemplation.
From these contemplative experiences, I have created several series of works:
Nocturnes,
Boketto Series (Looking into the Distance without Thinking),
Spirit Light Series,
Thresholds Unknown Series,
Contemplative Light Series,
Opulence Series,
Rocky Mountain Series,
Boulder Creek Series,
Colorado Foothills Series,
Boulder Series
and earlier works.
My artwork can be viewed at: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com/works
For more information on up-coming exhibition events, please view my events listings on my website: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com/events
I also have videos of interviews and past exhibitions of my work on my website: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com/video
My work is in private collections in the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe and can be viewed at https://suzannefrazierartist.com
What matters most to you?
As I progress towards my 80th year on this planet, I have had a full life of invigorating experiences.
What matters the most to me right now is providing a space where other individuals can feel comfortable about being themselves. Over the years, I have had to play many different roles during different careers, but now all those roles seem superfluous. I want to help others release the roles in their lives and be their true self.
I offer this opportunity in my art classes and when I am with other people. I hope in the future that everyone call enjoy being the wonderful human being that they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.suzannefrazierartist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/contemplativeart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ContemplativeArt, https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneFrazierArtist/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/contemplativeartist/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ContemplativeArt
- Other: https://contemplativeart.blogspot.com/
