Artist Susan E. Routledge loves strong dynamic colors and she enjoys challenging herself with complcated images and various textures.  “Inspirations,” a collection of Routledge’s works, will be opening with a reception at Gualala Arts Center on Friday, May 4, at 5:00pm. Her large oil paintings of flowers and coast impressions will be on display in the Elaine Jacob Foyer until May 27.

     Routledge was born in rural Northumberland, England, close to the Scottish border and the English Lake District.  She was brought up with a love of country life that she captures in her paintings.  After studying at Newcastle College of Art, she worked as a watercolor artist for Halcyon Days of London, which has the royal appointment as suppliers of objects d’art to Her Majesty the Queen.

     In 1981 Routledge came to California where she now lives and works.  She is a Signature Member of the California Watercolor Association and has studied under the late local artist, Jade Fon, as well as Tom Nicholas, Gerald Brommer, Betty Lynch, Frank Webb, Irving Shapiro, Leo Smith and Carrie Burns-Brown. Each summer, Routledge returns to England to spend time sketching and painting scenes of English country life.

     Her paintings are included in many private and corporate collections, including those of Genentech, Kaiser Permanente and the City of Vacaville.

     Routledge’s most recent work reflects her love of the scenic beauty of northern California and the Mendocino coast where she now has her studio. You can see more of Susan’s work on her website: ‘Serendipity Artworks’ at seroutledge.com.