We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Calderon and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, why did you pursue a creative career?
I chose to work in visual arts because it makes me feel alive, with a driving purpose, and connected to the earth and those around me.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My favorite art medium is colored pencil, which right away sets me apart from a lot of artists (Most people don’t realize that it is a fine art medium). One of my favorite themes is to base my art on the elements; including the elements in the periodic table, and the four classic elements of earth, water, air, and fire

Also, working at Johns Creek Arts center for over 15 years has given me many opportunities to develop and exhibit my own work, and in the process of teaching art to others, has enlarged my creative process, sparked so many new ideas, and reinforced so many life lessons relating to teaching and learning. I’ve learned that patience and persistence can be vital and joyful rather than dull and dreadful Comparison really is the thief of joy, and the Japanese concept of shoshin, or “beginner’s mind” can help us approach life with eagerness, curiosity, and openness.

One of the harder aspects of a creative career for me is that my natural introverted tendencies are pretty much opposite of the skills needed for connecting with potential clients and marketing myself on social media. Again, working at an art center has given me a platform and systems already set up to do these things for me

As for my personal art, I hope that my work will inspire a deeper connection to the world we live in, and therefore create an increased desire to care for it and others. When I draw portraits, for example, I realize how uniquely beautiful each person is, no matter how they look to the world in general. With my work on the periodic table elements, I also hope to highlight the intersection of art and science, and how they actually work hand-in-hand, and are not opposites, as some people might suppose

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Wow, I love this question! For the city, I’d want to climb Stone Mountain, see the laser show there at night, and visit the Yellow Daisy Festival there if it’s early September. I would also go to the aquarium, Atlanta Botanical Garden, and Michael Carlos museum at Emory. Ponce City Market and downtown Decatur for shopping and eating, A visit to the paper museum at Georgia Tech, and a stop at the zoo. Further away from downtown, I would go the the Booth Western museum in Cartersville and Chattanooga for lookout mountain hiking and other amazing sights and activities , Go to Helen for tubing on the Chattahoochee as well as touristy shops, restaurants , and activities. Tallulah
Falls for hiking, scenery and picnics, as well as Vogel State Park, Black Rock Mountain, and whitewater rafting on the Chattooga river.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Johns Creek Arts Center – I’ve worked there for over fifteen years, and have been able to meet so many like-minded people and take advantage of so many varied opportunities. From having my own work in art shows, to being able to teach children, teens, and adults everything from basic drawing, colored pencil, watercolor, sci-fi and fantasy, cartooning, summer camps scout badges and more.

I also was a member CPSA, the Colored Pencil Society of America, for many years. The Atlanta chapter recently disbanded, but the friendships, activities and opportunities I gained were priceless to me. So much encouragement and sharing of all kinds of creative knowledge!

Other: My social media skills basically suck

Image Credits
All images are my own

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.