Revision 879779018 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> This cyclical use of diverse mixed media in her body of work connects her to the [[Ecocentric Art Movement]].<ref>{{cite web |title=S.P. Harper |url=https://www.artavita.com/artists/16025-s-p-harper%7C |website=Artavita |publisher=Artavita |accessdate=19 December 2018 |quote=By reforming and re-employing, the work fits into the Ecocentric Art Movement to reduce, reuse and recycle.}}</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.<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.

She is currently a member of the [[Los Angeles Art Association]], as well as a Board of Director for the Westwood Branch Public Library. 

==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.wmagazine.com/story/mandy-and-cliff-einstein-art-collection-home-los-angeles| Mandy and Cliff Einstein at Home: Inside the Museum-Worthy Art Collection of the L.A. Power Couple]
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