Suzanne Jepson, a native of the Philadelphia area, retired a year and a half ago from the Rehabilitation Center at Inova Fairfax Hospital to pursue her artistic aspirations. She currently has a show of acrylic paintings, called "Simple Pleasures," at the Loft Gallery in Occoquan.
When and why did you start painting?
I really started painting around the age of 16, when I took a summer class at the Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia. A friend of mine wanted me to accompany her — she took a class in design and I took a class in oils.
Did you study art formally?
Besides the Moore College of Art and Design, I have also taken classes at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, the Virginia Museum of Art in Richmond, the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria and from several local artists in the cities where my husband, a retired Naval officer, and I were stationed.
What is your preferred medium to work in? Currently, I am working with acrylics but also enjoy working in watercolor and charcoal.
What is the inspiration for your art?
My inspiration for drawing and painting came from an artist by the name of John Nagy, who used to demonstrate his painting techniques on television. As a young child, my grandmother and I would sit in front of her small black-and-white television and watch in awe. Subsequently, my parents bought me his drawing and painting kit, and the rest is history. Also, my great uncle was an artist, and his paintings were on the walls throughout my grandmother's home. I would go from room to room and study his paintings.
Your show is called "Simple Pleasures" — can you elaborate on the theme?
It's called "Simple Pleasures" because in this day and age of hustle and bustle, wanting bigger and better, and always trying to compete with your neighbor, it is nice to just sit back sometimes and enjoy all the "free" pleasures around us. These are simple pleasures, like sipping a glass of lemonade while sitting on your Adirondack chair in your favorite garden spot, searching for seashells with your grandchildren or watching birds bathe in the bird bath. This is the feeling of true pleasure I try to incorporate into my paintings.
Future plans?
My plans are to keep painting and maybe take a class in pastel and sculpture. An artist should never stop learning or experimenting.
"Simple Pleasures," a show of acrylic paintings by Suzanne Jepson, runs through Dec. 4, at the Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan. Call 703-490-1117 or visit www.loftgallery.org.