Susan Bankey Yoder
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Painting , for Susan, is a very personal media. She enjoys the fieldwork that is so important, and the research of her subjects brings her great satisfaction. Gouache, an opaque watercolor and acrylic are her choices for primary medium. She decides which paint to use according to how it will best suit the subject, claiming a special feeling for the properties the paint will give her. Her ongoing study of paintings by other artists to learn and better understand the many varying aspects of their art and style is part of her continuing education. "Painting is an evolutionary process; I'm always growing and learning. It's very stimulating," she says. One of her most recent educational experiences came from a workshop with Carl Brenders in Montana, where her work was well recieved. "Workshops help fine tune painting skills".
Fishing is one of the many ways she can do research, and the trout streams of Montana, Wyoming and Pennsylvania, her home state, are among her favorite places. "People are always surprised when I talk about fishing." She states, "I guess it's still a little unusual to hear about a woman that goes fishing." Susan keeps a sketchbook and a camera along with her fishing gear, for an opportunity that arises, transferring them to her saddlebags when horseback riding or hiking on the trail.
Many of her paintings enhance both corporate and private collections. She has shown at prestigious shows such as the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, the Easton Waterfowl Festival and the Florida Wildlife Expo in Lakeland.