Meet Susan Ker-Seymer | Visual Artist

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

Hi Susan, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking has been central to my life as an artist, a self-directed journey that remains to this day a risky proposition in terms of creative fulfillment and livelihood. From the moment I realized I wanted to pursue a creative path, I took a leap—going against the advice of well-meaning advisors to follow my instinct and study art. Art schools are designed for risk taking, so there I honed my artistic skills and resilience. My first careers in fashion and graphic design involved significant risk, as I navigated the challenges of freelancing and creating work to sell.
In the painting studio, risk is ever-present. It shows up when pushing beyond my comfort zone, and working with materials, ideas, and colors in experimental ways. Taking risks means letting go of familiar habits or preconceived ideas in the name of growth and silencing the inner critic—those judgmental voices that can stifle momentum and obstruct the creative process.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I often think of my work as a celebration of the idea that truth reveals itself through observing nature. When I’m working with paint and materials, I’m in tune with the natural world and process of painting gives me the mental space to reflect more deeply on my experiences and observations. My evolving visual language explores the meeting point between organic forms and imposed structure. I use floating biomorphic shapes, angular overlays, and drawn elements to suggest fragmentation and reassembly. Through layers of color, gesture, and erasure, I aim to express the complexity of memory and connection in a constantly changing world.
For me, being an artist means embracing the ongoing privilege of learning and exploration. I’ve been a committed student and sometime teacher of art—through art schools, self-directed study, observing other artists, attending and hosting workshops, and working with artist groups to create and share work. Some of my most rewarding experiences have come from collaborations with the groups Sixfold Collective, the Friendship Project, and Arete, in which we developed art installations and launched exhibitions together. A recent highlight has been my collaboration with Robert F. Barsky, responding to his epic poem The Beltline Chronicles, which has stretched my work into the book realm.

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.
When I have visitors to Atlanta, I want to show them our vibrant art scene. The must see venues are the High Museum of Art, MODA, MOCA GA on Bennett Street (and soon to be on the west side), the Warehouse, the many galleries, my favorites being Whitespace, Marcia Wood, Mason, Johnson Lowe, Jackson Fine Art, Spalding Nix, Wolfgang, Sandler Hudson, Kai Lin Art, the list goes on including some amazing artist run spaces like The End, Eye Drum, Pollinator, the Atlanta Printmakers Studio, and if something’s going on at The Goat Farm, we’d have to stop there.

Atlanta has so many places to eat, walk, carouse. My first stop would be the corner of Monroe and 10th St to take a long leisurely walk along the Beltline stopping at Ponce city market to gape at the numerous places to eat probably landing at Botiwalla for a little Indian food. Then we’d keep walking and stop in new realm for a cold one, taking in the Victorian plant store. We’d walk all the way to Krog Street market and maybe up to Muchacho on memorial. On Saturday we’d walk and find ourselves at the freedom Parkway market and afterwards have a coffee at JavaVino.
Later, we’d want to go to Staple House. The week of eating would include Bacchanalia if we were feeling flush or Star provisions if not. Yeppa or Antico for Italian, Little Rey and Taqueria Del sol, lunch at the Daily Chew. We’d have to go to the west side to the breweries and walk the Beltline there as well!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate the Shout out to Max Ker-Seymer, the Goat Farm Critique group (you know who you are!), Robert F. Barsky, and the dear family and friends that are support in all ways possible.

Website: https://www.susankerseymer.com/

Instagram: @susanks1 https://www.instagram.com/susanks1/

Image Credits
Susan Ker-Seymer image by Teresa Hargrave. All art images courtesy of Susan Ker-Seymer