About the Artist

Susan Volk Stanley

western artist, equine artist, landscape painter, plein air painting, still life painter, Susan Stanley, Susan Volk Stanley, Susan Stanley artist, animal artist, rodeo art, western impressionist

Susan Volk Stanley grew up in Maryland and was recognized early on for her artistic talents and began to sell her work before leaving high school. She always knew she would have a career in the arts. She attended Guilford College in North Carolina and graduated from Goucher College in Maryland with a degree in fine arts and a love of painting. It was a senior year internship at a busy photography studio that led to work and an early career in the film business where she worked as a Set Decorator and Prop Stylist. In the mid 1980's she made the move west to pursue work in Arizona as a Set Stylist, and Art Director expanding into episodic television and movie work. It was a natural fit to move into the Corporate Theater and Event Planning market filling ballrooms with stylish sets and memorable atmosphere starting her company Creative Decorating and Display.

Her last film brought her to Prescott where she met artist Tom Dorr at the Phippen Art Show. They talked art and he told her about the Scottsdale Artists School and encouraged her to to go and learn from the best.  She began studying in earnest with some of todays most sought after realist painters including Matt Smith, Scott Christensen, Sherrie McGraw, Ned Jacob and Daniel Keys along with many other talented instructors and successful painters through the school. The workshops proved invaluable leading Susan back to the place she began, to her love of painting. In 2002 she sold her business to devote her time to painting and raising a family. These days you will find her at the easel, capturing the beauty of nature through still life, landscape and animals in oil. Her work is a reflection of the southwest lifestyle she shares with her horses on a ranch in the Sonoran Desert. The area is abundant with wildlife and endless outdoor inspiration. Surrounded by so much beauty it is no wonder that Susan's paintings are sought after by both private and corporate collectors. Susan has been juried into some of the countries most prestigious shows including Oil Painters Of America, The Equine Art Guild, The International Guild of Realism, The Salon International and numerous other exhibitions.