Biography

Originally from Montreal, Susan graduated from Concordia University with an Honours BFA majoring in Graphics/Sculpture plus a post-graduate diploma in Art Education.She continues to be inspired in her work by notable artists and professors such as Yves Gaucher (1934-2000), Irene Whittome and Patrick Landsley to name three.

Her artistic career started in the photographic laboratories of the CNR, Montreal as a printer. During the 1970's she began her decade in the Canadian North. First in the Ungava Bay district of Nouveau Quebec establishing a cottage craft industry for Inuit carvers followed by a period in Northern Alberta teaching ESL, French and Adult Ed. art classes.

Returning "South" in the 1980's, she moved to Peterborough to pursue her Master's degree under the mentoring of Dr. Joan Vastokas, researching Athapaskan artistic expression in quillworking as her thesis topic. She has been a contributing member of the Peterborough artistic community since moving here through volunteer activities with ArtSpace and the Art Gallery of Peterborough: as a board member, Art History presentor, AGP studio tour participant and fund raiser among other duties. She teaches encaustic painting at Fleming College's Haliburton School of the Arts. Her mission as an artist is to promote the enjoyment of art of all expressions, and to provide an environment for individual growth through creativity.

She has been working in the Encaustic medium for the past ten years and is the sole Canadian instructor for R & F Handmade Paints, a New York company dedicated to the development and production of high quality, stable encaustic materials as well as promoting safe methods of encaustic painting through carefully structured workshops. She has been teaching these safe methods through the Haliburton Summer School of the Arts for the past 5 years and is now working with Curry's Art Store with workshops through their Mississauga art school. Small private classes are available at her studio by request or by schedule.

Having built experience as manager of the Russell Gallery in Peterborough, she is currently developing a small gallery adjacent to her studio to promote mainly encaustic art. Her works are in collections both national and international.

Susan is an active member of the Art Gallery of Peterborough, the Peterborough Rotary Club, the Peterborough Chamber of Commerce and the Peterborough Women's Business Network.

Awards and Scholorships

2000 Peterborough Civic Volunteer Award
1993 Five Year Volunteer Service Award
1988 Ontario Arts Council Exhibition Ass. Grant
1986 Trent University Graduate Department - Fellowship
1974 Greenshields Scholarship in the Visual Arts through Concordia University

Purchase Information

Any Painting may be purchased by contacting Susan Fisher-Thomas by email or telephone. We apologize but we cannot guarantee that a particular painting has not already been sold. Susan's work is exhibited at various venues and the work displayed is to show her body of work, therefore we ask that you contact us about a particular piece but bear in mind that while it may be sold, Susan may be able to show you other works that are similar. We accept Visa, Mastercard, certified personal cheques, money orders and of course cash! Paintings can be shipped, at customer's expense. A quote can be given if requested.