Artist Profile: Susan Morrison-Dyke
Susan Morrison-Dyke with her artwork.
Susan Morrison-Dyke is a Boston-based painter whose vibrant work draws from American pop culture, mid-century design, and geometric abstraction. Rooted in spontaneity, her art invites curiosity, emotion, and visual exploration, blending formal technique with playful energy. Her studio practice is a space of freedom, experimentation, and meaningful connection.
Tell us about who you are and what inspired you to pursue a career in art.
My early exposure to art was not informed by books or museums but rather from being exposed to American popular culture. My childhood was an all-American one growing up in Oklahoma City in a large family who was mostly into sports, but with a definite admiration for the fine arts as well–especially my mother who delighted in my talents for art, music, and dance. Having always loved painting and drawing I received continual encouragement from my family, art teachers, and contemporaries. This support helped guide my decision to pursue a career in painting for which I am eternally grateful.
Can you describe a typical day or routine in your studio?
When it’s a great day in the studio, it feels like a performance that no one else sees. Exuberant but private. I try to keep social media out of my head and focus on the work. Enjoying the ride of being in my own space without pressure from other people contributes to my feeling safe enough to take risks. I like being able to make a mess of something that I might have considered too precious, knowing something real might come from it.
What materials and techniques do you prefer to work with, and why?
Most of the work is oil on canvas or acrylic on paper. But I also use collage underlayers of large swaths of painted paper which acts like a giant palette. The assemblage is painted into, leaving it only slightly visible which creates a pentimenti of information that invites the viewer to consider its meaning or purpose. It helps move the painting along and adds texture and interest.
How do you approach color and composition in your paintings?
By using the language of geometric abstraction and allowing the materiality of paint to play a central role in the work’s surface, my work hints at something more subversive. The mood of the paintings is orchestrated via the use of color dynamics and personal references.
Queen's Mate by Susan Morrison-Dyke
What do you hope visitors will take away from your exhibition?
There is nothing better than connecting with others through my paintings. I would like the viewer to take away something that speaks to their curiosity, sensibility, and spirit.
Is there any advice you would give to aspiring artists based on your experiences?
I would say “not to go searching for your audience but rather let your audience find you.” It’s hard to guess people’s preferences for art since it is based on so many factors. If you stay true to yourself, you will attract an audience that will delight in your work.
Are there any particular artists or movements that have influenced your work?
My longstanding influences come from Mondrian, Leger, Gottlieb, Diebenkorn, Picasso, Matisse, Stuart Davis, Torres-Garcia, The Bauhaus, and vintage Pop Art. I like blending seriousness with irony and using juxtapositions of opposites. The visual surprises encountered in everyday life are inspiring especially the idea of using the “mundane” as subject matter for art.
How do you stay motivated and engaged in your work?
We are fortunate to have two studios in Boston, both are in Artist Studio Buildings where multiple artists live and work. Interaction within the arts community is important for staying motivated. I also stay engaged by frequenting the galleries and museums in Boston and especially New York.
How has this latest series contributed to your artistic growth or perspective?
Finding my inspiration in the sleek abstraction of mid-century modern design, the inventiveness of cubism, and the authenticity of primitive and ancient art, I rely on intuition and spontaneity to guide my artistic process. This is derived from combining formal blocks of color juxtaposed with playfully drawn interpretations of stylized forms.
In 20–25 words, describe your current artwork or series.
My paintings currently explore abstract elements of vernacular imagery in American culture where intuition and spontaneity guide my artistic process.
“My paintings currently explore abstract elements of vernacular imagery in American culture where intuition and spontaneity guide my artistic process.”
- Susan Morrison-Dyke
