Featured Artist Sue Mooney

Enjoy the colorful abstract paintings of artist Sue Mooney, inspired as a celebration of life. Visit her website to view more of her portfolio.

 

 

Why do I use vibrant colors in my artwork? For years I was an HIV/AIDS medical case manager. Thirteen of them were at the County Hospital in Minneapolis.

 

 

While it was rewarding work to help my patients to get the best care and services possible, it was very difficult to see my patients struggle with homelessness, chemical dependency, etc. Sometimes they ended up dying, which was always extremely difficult.

 

 

I found I needed something to lift my spirits. That led me to use bright colors in artwork that I would create for myself. I found the creation of vibrantly colored art was uplifting for my soul, and it was a way to celebrate my patients’ lives.

 

 

As an artist I’m entirely self-taught, although I’m very fortunate to have a wide network of artist friends all over the country from whom I’ve learned a tremendous amount. My initial work was done on the computer, where I made vibrantly colored digital paintings of animals.

 

 

During Covid, I progressed to creating textured abstract acrylic paintings, which is my main medium today. To create these paintings, I start by applying molding paste to a standard canvas. Once the molding paste is dry, I paint using a palette knife or a brush, depending on the work.

 

 

I absolutely love using molding paste throughout my artwork. It provides such depth and uniqueness to each painting. Using the palette knife to drag the paint over the texture is amazing, because I don’t always know how it is going to look.

 

 

In 2022, I joined three other artist friends and together we opened Goza Gallery located in the historic Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis. Gallery owner isn’t a role I saw myself holding, but it’s been a wonderful year!

 

Sue Mooney invites you to follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

 

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