Sue Schaare | Artist | Gallery | Studio

Live music is one of Sue Schaare’s main influences and sources of inspiration. You can see from her paintings what it feels like to be at a live concert. Musicians train hard for a performance and on the day they give their best for the appreciation of the audience. Then it’s over and the impression of the event is left in people’s hearts – and on Sue’s canvas.

“People lend themselves to abstracting because of their interesting shapes, positions and expressions whilst involved in various activities. Whenever I attend an orchestral ‘happening’ I get so inspired by the instruments, sounds and movements of the performers that I just have to sketch. The Jazz Festival at Waiheke Island has provided much of my material for my musical series.”

Represented in private and corporate collections across the globe, this full time professional artist has her studio and gallery in sunny Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.
A love of the simple life, coupled with the heady atmosphere of the Bay Cities. The abundance of artistic activities in and around her home – the winery events, concerts, cuisine and culture – are a rich seam which Sue taps with skill and enthusiasm.

“I am not confined by rules: for example, in my city paintings, I like to paint an image that already has an identity and then create my own impression of that particular place.”

Sue travels around the country to attend the orchestral & jazz concerts that inspire her.. Her style is all her own with each one of her paintings as unique as a live performance, with subtle differences in tone and colour that makes it impossible for her to duplicate her own work.

Sue works directly onto canvas with passion and energy, using strong lines and striking colours of oil or acrylic. With her potent, dramatic, use of colour her works are powerful and joyful; often producing a strong emotional reaction with her audience. Her eclectic tastes in music – covering the spectrum from classical music, through to jazz or rock – shine through in her work. Not only can you feel what it’s like to have been there, but you can imagine Sue sitting next to you, with her sketch book as she soaks it all in.

“I believe spontaneity with my work releases the creativity of my subconscious mind.”

It is no surprise, then, that Sue Schaare is the recipient of a number of merit awards for her work:

• 1990 – Auckland Easter Show
• 1990 – 92-93 – Awapuni Expo – Manawatu
• 1994 – Finalist Hawkes Bay Telecom Awards
• 1998 – Invited artist Church Rd. Winery – Charity Wine Auction
• 1999 – Artist for Hawkes Bay Charity Wine Auction
• 2005-06-07-08 – Invited guest artist and sponsor for Hawke’s Bay Regional Orchestra’s “Classics At Sunset” concert for all promotion and advertising images.
• 2008 – Selection for N.Z, Favorite Artist Vol. 2 publication

• 1998-99-00-01 – Millwood Gallery – Wellington
• 2000-03-05 – Parnell Gallery – Auckland
• 2002 – Statements Gallery – Napier
• 2004-05 – Red Peach Gallery – Napier
• 2008 – Quay Gallery – Napier
  2011 – Parnell Gallery – Auckland

• 1998-04 – Parnell Gallery – Auckland
• 1998-04 – Millwood Gallery – Wellington
• 1999-01 – Statements Gallery – Napier
• 2003-04 – Tamarillo Gallery – Wellington