Check Out Susan Reycroft’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Reycroft.

Hi Susan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I live in the beautiful San Luis Valley surrounded by majestic mountains and breathtaking scenery. I was very fortunate to have grown up traveling the world, living in different cultures, and experiencing spectacular views in Japan, England, the island of Nevis, and many places in the United States. I graduated from Syracuse University in New York with a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art. I’ve worked as an art therapist and also went on to do glass blowing after graduation at San Jose State in California.

Art has always been extremely important in my life. However, It didn’t go quite the way I thought it would. I became a mother and brought art to my children’s lives. I then worked as a kitchen and bath designer in California. I seem to be ever-evolving, and once again my life took a new direction and I changed my career path to special education, specifically high school students. I feel I impacted the lives of many children during my career and I found it to be very fulfilling.

As my parents reached their senior years, I became their caretaker and during that time I met a silk painter and discovered a new passion and medium. She generously opened her studio and heart to me and taught me the art of silk painting. After my retirement, I moved to Crestone Colorado, and began traveling and sightseeing in my camper van “lillyVan”.

In Crestone, I designed and built my own home. I have come full circle and have been able to once again focus my attention on creating and recreating my interpretations of the beauty I have experienced and live within. Painting on silk and canvas is my focus now, with photography, stone, and clay work mixed in to keep things exciting and evolving.

My website is lillyreyart.com email is suereysue@gmail.com

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has most certainly not been an easy road. I put my plans on hold to work and put my husband through school. Then we had 3 wonderful children. However, it was hard to build an art career while raising them. The marriage had many challenges and ended in a divorce. I had nothing after having been a stay-at-home mom for so long: no money, no credit score, no work experience.

I was now a single mom of 3 with few to no options. I needed a job that would pay enough to raise my children and had similar hours and vacation times due to the cost of child care. After a few tries at different things, they paid better but had little time off. I went into teaching and it allowed me to retire and make a new start at age 60, in the end, it all has led to a wonderful life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have time for myself to do and explore artistic endeavors. I do have to supplement my income and substitute teaching. My main medium is silk painting. I love silk and my work has bright and vivid colors on a lousious fabric. I feel silk can take you to places you have yet to discover. Few people do the type of silk painting I do. I have also rediscovered painting on canvas with acrylics.

In addition, I do stone carving, photography, and ceramics. I am thinking of learning a few new things such as concrete sculpture and aluminum lost wax casting. I show in 2 galleries here in Crestone CO; Crestone Artist Gallery, and Tiny Gallery, with private showings at my home by appointment. Appointments by email at suereysue@gmail.com or text at 719-429-9247 I have a website lillyreyart.com.

What do you think about happiness?
I love the beauty that surrounds me in Crestone CO every day I am blessed to be here. I still love to travel and am learning about many spots to explore in the USA. It is always exciting to discover new places. Nature fills my heart and as someone once said “Nature is my spiritual path.” It turns out I love to build, and design.

I get great joy out of helping people build their dreams, often here that means their home. I feel connected to this small unique community, this is not something I ever felt moving around so much.

Pricing:

• I have pieces of art from $50 to $1,200

Contact Info:

• Website: lillyreyart.com
• Instagram: @Lillyreyart
• Facebook: @lillyreyart and SusanReycroft
• Linkedin: @Susan Reycroft