Artist Focus: Susan Temple Neumann

A closer look at the artwork of Susan Temple Neumann

Native Texan, Susan Temple Neumann, finds inspiration in the spirit of the West, the landscape, its history and the people. This includes her life-long fascination with Native Americans, cowboys, horses and wildlife that fuel her passion for painting.Desert Dreams, oil, 24 x 18”

“The majority of my references come from the Western photo shoots I attend around the United States. Having so many subjects to choose from is amazing,” the artist says. “There is usually a wonderful variety of characters from mountain men, Native Americans, pioneer men, women and children, along with all the horses, longhorn, sheep, cattle, wagons, etc. Each shoot has a vast array of subject matter to choose from, allowing me to come home with enough images to last a lifetime.”

She continues, “The more I learn about the Native American tribes, the more intrigued I become trying to depict their life and times as I visualize it. I’ve got some great resources for the Cheyenne, specifically around the 1860s to 1870s. I find the knowledge these sources have to be critical in creating an authentic representation of that particular time in history.”Joys Along the Way, oil, 20 x 20”Neumann says that painting is her passion and feels so privileged to be able to spend her days doing something she loves so dearly. “I strive to capture the emotion or mood of a particular character or scene and hopefully make that connection with the viewer,” she adds. “Ultimately, my desire is to invite the viewer in and make them a part of the scene.”Ever Vigilant, oil, 40 x 30”Neumann is represented by Heritage Fine Arts in Taos, New Mexico, and Illume Gallery West in Philipsburg, Montana. Her work will also be seen at Women Artists of the West at the Woolaroc Museum in Oklahoma in 2024. —