Revision 879777108 of "S.P. Harper" on enwiki

{{Infobox artist
| name          = S.P. Harper
| image         =
| imagesize     =
| caption       = S.P. Harper in her painting studio
| birth_name     = Susan Gail Picking
| birth_date     = {{Birth date and age|1955|03|21}}
| birth_place      = [[Southern California]]
| death_date     =
| death_place    =
| nationality   = American
| residence      = Los Angeles, Calif.
| education    = BFA, Roski School of Fine Art, [[University of Southern California]], [[ArtCenter College of Design]], [[American University in Paris]], France
| alma_mater =  [[University of Southern California]]
| notable_works = 
| style = Still Life Painting, Abstract painting and bricollage
| movement = Ecocentric Art Movement
| spouse       = 
| awards   = 
| elected   =
| patrons  = In the collection of Mandy and Cliff Einstein
}}

'''Susan Picking Harper''' (born '''Susan Gail Picking'''; March 21, 1955) is an [[United States|American]] artist based in [[Los Angeles, California]] whose work consists of abstract paintings that are part of the Ecocentric Art Movement. She is a teaching artist at American Jewish University in Los Angeles.

==Life==
Susan Picking Harper grew up in [[Rancho Santa Fe]], San Diego County, California. Her grandfather, Archibald Picking was a highly skilled gem-quality diamond-cutter called a [[Diamantaire]] who was responsible for [[Diamond cut|cutting]], polishing and transforming a rough diamond into a finished gemstone ready for setting. This had an influential effect upon Susan's artwork.
Susan studied art under the mentorship of Lyrical Abstractionist [[Paul Jenkins (painter)]] at the [[American University of Paris]], France. She received a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree from the Roski School of Fine Art at [[University of Southern California]] in 1977. She is also an alumni of [[ArtCenter College of Design]], Class of '79 in Advertising and Illustration. She specializes in abstract painting, as well as teaches the style of the 20th century Masters Painters and Ecocentric Art. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://sdvoyager.com/interview/art-life-s-p-harper/|title=Art and Life with S.P. Harper|date=23 July 2018|website=San Diego Voyager|access-date=8 January 2018|}}</ref>.

==Works==
Susan developed an expansive study of gemstones and their physical properties: shape, facets, brilliance, luster, refraction, and color. By method of bricolage and assemblage, she explores reclaimed materials and found objects to construct a Combine Painting out of "discarded tablecloth, wallpaper, curtain, graphic posters, upholstery fabric, painting, canvas, commercial art, building and metal scrap".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artcenter.edu/connect/dot-magazine/articles/finding-your-repurpose-meet-ecocentric-artist-s-p-harper|title=Finding Your Repurpose: Meet Ecocentric Artist S.P. Harper|last=Wetherbe|first=Jamie|date= 2 July 2018|website=Dot Magazine|publisher=ArtCenter College of Design|access-date=9 January 2018|quote="Diverse media such as discarded tablecloth, wallpaper, curtain, graphic posters, upholstery fabric, painting, canvas, commercial art, building and metal scrap are painting surfaces."}}</ref> She paints the light as it passes through gemstones employing classical still life techniques, yet their characteristics give way to an abstract style of painting. The mixed media paintings are attributed to Ecocentric Art.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artcenter.edu/connect/dot-magazine/articles/4x4-fall-2018.html|title=4x4 Gallery: Alumni Work That Transforms, Moves, Emotes, Gleams|last=Schou|first=Solvej|date= 22 October 2018|website=Dot Magazine|publisher=Art Center College of Design|access-date= 9 September 2018|quote="Los Angeles–based fine artist S.P. Harper (BFA 79 Advertising) paints images of gemstones and jewels on recycled and reclaimed materials, mixing the classical tradition of still life painting with modernism."}}</ref> Each painting specifies the stone type, it’s original name, and the type of cut carved on the stone. The titles of her artworks encapsulates the wide range in diamond-cutting techniques. The collection of paintings, '''Gods of Fire''', are exhibited in contemporary art galleries throughout the West Coast including [http://www.torranceartmuseum.com/calendar/2018/17/3/odysseyii?rq=odyssey%20ii Torrance Art Museum], [[Bergamot Station]], [[Gallery 825]], and South Bay Contemporary Gallery.<ref>{{cite web |title=Espe Harper |url=https://www.saatchiart.com/www.spharper.com |website=Saatchi Art |publisher=Saatchi Art |accessdate=16 December 2018}}</ref> Her work is currently in the contemporary art collection of Mandy and Cliff Einstein.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rudick |first1=Jennifer Ash |title=Mandy and Cliff Einstein at Home: Inside the Museum-Worthy Art Collection of the L.A. Power Couple |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/mandy-and-cliff-einstein-art-collection-home-los-angeles |website=W Magazine |publisher=W Magazine |accessdate=18 December 2018}}</ref> 
She is currently a member of the [[Los Angeles Art Association]], as well as a Board of Director for the Westwood Branch Public Library. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.saatchiart.com/art-collection/Painting/Gods-of-Fire/910198/227443/view|title=S.P. Harper|publisher=Saatchi Art|access-date=18 December 2018}}</ref>.

==Notable exhibitions==
*''‘Wadjet’ Diamond;'' Acrylic on canvas salvage, 30 x 24 inches was exhibited at the Neutra Institute Museum Gallery for the ''Dulce Stein presents 100 Artists Exhibition'' on October 4, 2018.
*''‘Ra’ Ruby on Landscape;'' Oil and acrylic on canvas 16 x 16 inches was shown at the [http://www.torranceartmuseum.com/calendar/2018/17/3/odysseyii?rq=odyssey%20ii Torrance Art Museum].
*''‘Amaterasu’ Cushion-cut Diamond;'' Acrylic on bandana, 59 x 59 inches was exhibited at [http://arts.aju.edu/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/imagine/ Imagine: A Visual Arts Exhibit, Platt and Borstein Gallery, AJU, Bel-Air, California]. 

==Publications==
*''[https://www.worldcat.org/title/101/oclc/958484002 101 Contemporary Artists]'', Artvoices Art Books, edited by Terrence Sanders<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sanders |first1=Terrance |title=101 Contemporary Artists |date=2016 |publisher=Artvoices Art Books |pages=218 |isbn=9780692650820 |edition=Vol. 1 |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/101/oclc/958484002 |accessdate=23 January 2019 |ref=958484002}}</ref>
*''Los Angeles Art Association Book Volume 2''

==References==
 {{Reflist}}

==External Links==
*{{Official|http://www.spharper.com|S.P. Harper (Official website)}}
*[https://www.laaa.org/s-p-harper/| Los Angeles Art Association]
*[https://www.artavita.com/artists/16025-s-p-harper| Artavista]
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