Susan Connelly McClelland is a native of Western North Carolina. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from East Carolina University, Greenville, NC (1982). Since 1985 she has been involved with the High Point Furniture Market as a showroom designer. She was a professional Faux Painter for 25 years and has completed countless projects both residential and commercial. Her fairly recent switch to fine art originals was a natural progression and her faux finishing experience is reflected in her style of work . Susan’s work was selected for the 2023 exhibit, “Good Grief” at the the Fischman Gallery in Johnson City, TN. Also the 2019 Toe River Arts Regional Show, the Jonesborough Juried Art Exhibitions 2019, 2018 and 2017 at the McKinney Center in Jonesborough, TN and the 2019, 2018 and 2017 WomensFund shows. Her work has also been shown at The Kingsport Art Guild Member Shows where she received Honorable Mention in 2020, Susan has also shown in The FRAG Art Shows in Kingsport, TN, the Clem Allison Shulman Gallery at Tusculum University in Greenville, TN, Art on 16 in Marion VA, Weigand Fine Art Gallery in Galax, VA, The Warehouse in Hickory, NC, NewZart in Marshall, NC and Nelsons Fine Art in Johnson City, TN. Susan has completed numerous commission pieces for designers in Sea Grove Beach, FL, Berkeley, CA and locally. You can currently find her work at Hamilton Williams Gallery in Morganton, NC and The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, VA.. Susan specializes in abstract realism based on the beauty found in gems, minerals and geological features. After magnifying a gemstone, she then uses joint compound, sculpting paste, paper mache, oil paints, iridescent tints, crystals, epoxy resin or encaustics to interpret what she sees. Her more recent work has the addition of sculpted female figures that intertwine with the piece. After the past three years of loss, her work took on a more serious and therapeutic phase. Her most recent pieces have lighten up some by spotlighting her love of collage. Using objects found on her numerous hikes, sculpted pieces, glass and stones she has been creating small works that are more whimsical .