Susan Costes

Artist Statement

My paintings are small fragmentary passages of spontaneous moments of time, real or imaginary or a combination of these. Emotionally I am trying to connect to our similarities as humans, our reactions, loves, fears and everyday situations. Because they are figurative, they are relatable on a visceral level, through mood, gesture, and relationships, which in turn generates a feeling of intimacy.  As I paint, the in-between spaces of our lives which we see but do not notice, becomes more apparent. A mood or feeling takes over as I try and express this and communicate to the viewer via emergence and disappearance, line and no line, transparent and opaque, realism and abstraction, all coexisting in an attempt to see beyond the surface, both literally and figuratively, exploring the power of paint, color, texture and line. I invite you to examine the work, the tension between realism and abstraction, give the characters voice and share in these unwritten stories.

www.SusanCostes.com | Instagram: @susancostesfineart 

Biography

Susan Costes is a contemporary painter whose work is grounded in an intuitive and deeply observational approach to the human experience. Working primarily through painting, she is interested in the fleeting moments, gestures, and interactions that often pass unnoticed in everyday life.

Her figurative works balance recognizable imagery with an atmospheric, expressive treatment of paint. She embraces both control and spontaneity, allowing figures and scenes to emerge through layers of color, texture, transparency, and line. This interplay gives her paintings a sense of openness, inviting viewers to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the stories within them.

Costes’ work reflects a sustained interest in human connection and the quiet narratives found in ordinary moments. Rather than presenting a complete story, she leaves space for suggestion, allowing each painting to exist somewhere between memory, imagination, and observation.