the amazing Susan Lenz

Every once in a while, if we're lucky --- and if we're paying attention --- we come across artists whose work inspires and surprises and delights us in unexpected ways.

I met many wonderfully talented artists in Japan earlier this year and I can't wait to tell you about them in my upcoming book. And here in America, I've been fortunate to come across an artist recently whose body of work is stunning, diverse and oh, so impressive.

I call her the amazing Susan Lenz. She's the real deal!

Take a look at her latest creation - this innovative project, practically years in the making, is on view at a gallery in Columbia, South Carolina. How I wish I could see it in person! I mean, just study this photo for a minute. There are 130 baskets hanging from the ceiling and god knows how many trash bags filled with unwound spools of thread and tangled colossal messes of thread... all artfully strung from the heavens, or so it seems. Who has the patience and vision to do this?

Susan Lena fiber art installation, Threads: Gathering My Thoughts, at Gallery 80808/Vista Studios.

This installation is called: "Threads: Gathering my Thoughts." Follow this link to Susan's blog post about it and lots of other photos.

Susan Lenz, another view of Threads: Gathering My Thoughts

And you really must take a moment to watch this lovely video that a local professional photographer produced for Susan, just to support her as an artist. The photography is so beautiful, and so is the story. http://vimeo.com/105262100

Susan's work is suprising in so many ways, one is by the sheer diversity of the stuff she makes --- call them quilts, textiles, art quilts, whatever your word of choice. She tells poignant stories through her art. My favorite series are the quilts featuring grave rubbings. I love these! And as I've said before, Susan was kind enough to share her technique for making the rubbings with me and I've ventured out a couple times trying to make my own grave rubbings.

This one might be my favorite!

Susan Lenz: The Virgin of Guadalupe, Grave Rubbing Art Quilt Series. 21 1/2" x 15". Crayon on fabric rubbing collage with vintage doily, severely light damaged curtain salvaged from an office, and buttons.

She also makes art that is completely tactile, that looks more like textiles strung together something like like lace, but tougher. She calls them "in box" and stained glass windows. To me they are so rich. Something just really intrigues me about these.

Susan Lenz: Window CIII. Inventory # 3147.  Framed:  17 3/4" x 15 3/4"

You might think I am just gushing on at random here, perhaps even promoting a friend. But I have to say that I've never met Susan (although we have shared many emails) and I've only seen a few of her pieces in person. I'm just a fan from afar and I like to call out great work when I see it. And in case you're wondering, Susan has no idea I am writing this. I did ask for permission to post her photos and she said yes.

Her website lists pieces that she sells AND... the long list of exhibitions and installations where her work is currently on view, and where its been shown before.

So these are my thoughts on the amazing Susan Lenz.

I'm thankful that I've had the time and energy to spend getting to know her art.

And I want to give a shout out to Nina Marie for hosting the Off the Wall Friday link up every Friday. That's where I first found Susan's blog... and have met so many other talented individuals. Thanks Nina Marie!