(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
An Instant Obsession
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: October - 2022
What some would label an obsession is simply Sue Gouse’s exuberant embrace of her inherent artistry.
In addition to loving her day job as clinical nurse, Sue Gouse, was passionate about sewing, gardening, stain glass, decorating, and jewelry-making. Grateful for God’s gift of talent, she used it to make others healthy and happy. Initially, painting wasn’t on her love-list. She believed fine art was for real artists. But one day in 2005, she drove her friend to an oil painting class at Blue Valley Art Gallery in Cashiers. Her life changed forever. Upon arrival, she looked around the gallery, shrugged her shoulders, and said, “Well, shoot, I’m here …” She took a seat with her friend and loaded up a paintbrush. When her brush hit the canvas, the heavens opened up, the angels sang, and Sue saw the painterly light. In the 17 years since, her paintbrush has racked up about a million miles on canvas. Yep. She’s a real artist. The week following her Blue Valley epiphany, she and her husband headed home to Savannah. She left her paintings at the gallery to dry. Not long after settling back into her Savannah routine, the phone rang. Gallery customers were inquiring about her paintings … and their price. “What? They want to buy them?” she said, mouth gaping wide with surprise and a smile. Velda, gallery owner, helped her price them and make the sales. That day, out of the blue, Sue became an instant pro. Her new career bumped her up another level. She says, “I was invited to join a gallery in Savannah. I didn’t just join. My husband and I eventually took over the gallery and ran it successfully for 13 years. I had lots of repeat clients and also expanded my work to include paper and canvas giclées. I did weekend art shows in Savannah along with shows in Highlands and Cashiers.” And this all burst forth from an instant obsession. Still thunderstruck every time she sells a painting, Sue is thrilled when anyone expresses joy in one of her pieces. “It’s been a wonderful ride. I am grateful that I live in two wonderful places and get to travel and paint their beautiful scenery.” Visit Sue’s website at suegouseinspirations.com for contact information about commissions, sales, prints of existing work, show schedule, new works, and more. Also view her paintings on Facebook, Instagram and at the Cashiers Leaf Festival October 7-9. And make note of her trademark confetti-style. by Donna Rhodes
