"Fiery Red" - Expressive Organic Abstract Drawing

Hi, I’m Susanna, a mostly abstract expressionist artist from the Netherlands, who creates vibrantly moving artworks using a mix of media ― oil pastel, acrylic paint, (coloured) pencils, or ink ― whatever the work needs to express. After losing touch with my creative side for about a decade, I started painting again at 31, taking Art Classes at the University for the People in Rotterdam (Volksuniversiteit Rotterdam), under the tutelage of Matthijs Waardenburg (another artist here on Saatchi). I realised that you can’t expect yourself to feel authentic, happy, whole, and enough if you don’t bring your whole self to the table, which includes your talents, curiosity, quirkiness, and your vulnerability ― basically your whole BODY. And that’s what I try to incorporate in my artwork. I hope it resonates with you and inspires you to do the same in all aspects of your life. It’s never too late! During the recent lockdown, my process started to evolve and become more personal. I began drawing every day ― abstract expressionist, partly automatic, loose, line drawings based on organic movements, inspired by my emotions, bodily sensations, and sometimes words, daily snippets, music, or movies. It was my way to process trauma and express myself physically during a difficult time. And it's this energy in these drawings that I share with you. It was the beginning of a new series, called “Somatic Resonance.“ Recently, I moved from the city of Rotterdam, my hometown for generations, to an island in the Dutch countryside, and a village called Heenvliet. I’m excited to see how my new surroundings will influence my work to evolve. Susanna Neleman ARTIST STATEMENT: My work is about movement, expressing yourself fully, and showing yourself authentically in every aspect of your being even though it might invoke discomfort in others. The subject emerges in part while drawing automatically and can be different depending on who’s looking, when, and how the painting or drawing is oriented. I want my work to evoke emotions, bodily sensations, and maybe some discomfort in you. Stop asking: What is the meaning of all of this? What does she want to say? Allow that discomfort to arise within you. And instead of walking away. I hope you look closer. Let go of what you think you should see. Focus on the emotion that is emerging within you. What do you feel when you look at the piece? Does it speak to you viscerally? What does it mean to you?