The Artistic Journey of Susie Cipolla
Susie Cipolla, born in Vancouver in 1958, first experienced artistic success at the age of seven when she won a bicycle in a Dairyland coloring contest. Despite this early recognition, art took a backseat while she pursued education and established a successful career in physiotherapy, founding and managing a group of physiotherapy clinics.
The pivotal moment in Cipolla's artistic development came in 2009 when, encouraged by a friend, she attended a painting workshop with Brian Atyeo. This experience ignited a passion that led to a life-changing decision—leaving her healthcare career to fully commit to developing her skills as an artist.
Over the next six years, she devoted herself to continuous improvement through workshops and classes with accomplished artists, including influences like Robert Genn and Mike Svob, with Atyeo remaining her most influential mentor.
Cipolla's Artistic Style and Themes
Working primarily in acrylic, Cipolla approaches her art with an excellent sense of composition and color that distinguishes her work across various subjects. Her range extends from wild animals and Pacific Northwest landscapes to boats, old buildings, farm animals, and vehicles.
The featured cow portrait exemplifies her ability to capture animal subjects with expressive detail and personality against dramatic backgrounds. A signature element in her work is the frequent appearance of earthy red underpainting that creates a common thread throughout her diverse subjects.
This versatility, combined with her distinctive style, has helped Cipolla build an enthusiastic collector base across Canada and internationally.
Community Engagement and Recognition of Susie Cipolla
Now living with her family on a rural property north of Pemberton, British Columbia, Cipolla maintains a large studio where she not only creates her own work but also hosts guest instructors and provides learning opportunities for other artists. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of creatives reflects her dedication to the artistic community. As a Senior Signature member (SFCA) and past board member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, as well as a founding member of The Whistler Out Of Bounds Artists Group, Cipolla actively contributes to the arts and culture of the Sea to Sky region.
Her work is represented by galleries throughout Canada, including The Adele Campbell Gallery in Whistler, The Avenue Gallery in Victoria, Galerie d'art Au P'tit Bonheur in La Malbaie, and Canada House Gallery in Banff.