Painting of a woman with long dark hair wearing a dark coat, standing in a forest with tall trees in the background. The scene is viewed through a reflection in a car window frame, giving a sense of looking from inside to outside.
Image of the artist, a woman with shoulder-length hair and glasses, wearing a black shirt, standing indoors with artwork on the walls.

My artistic practice began with portraiture. Over time, my work evolved from intuitive expression to a more reductive and conceptual approach, centered on identity and essence. A deepening interest in color, process and perception turned my attention to abstraction. Despite this shift in genre, I view my abstract work as a continuation of my discovery in portraiture.

My approach toward abstraction carries forward a good deal of what I learned as a graphic designer and developed as a portrait artist. Specializing in fine art reproduction sharpened my sensitivity to color tone and nuance. I use digital tools to refine works-in-progress, streamline decisions, and create designs for paintings. 

Challenging boundaries between representation and abstraction, I also strive for uncertainty of depth, dimension and perspective. My paintings are designed to invite contemplation and interpretation of symbolic resonance and shifting visual hierarchies. 

I currently live in Connecticut. My paintings have been in a number of exhibitions and are in numerous private collections.

Education

BA in Art History and Urban Studies, Boston University

Exhibitions

Connecticut Women Artists 2025 Annual Members Open Juried Exhibition, Art League of New Britain, Farmington, CT, March-May, 2025

Chester Gallery Postcard Show, Chester Gallery, Chester, CT, December 2024

Connecticut Women Artists 2024 Annual National Open Juried Exhibition, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT, Fall, 2024

ODETTA Digital, Postcards to Venice (an ongoing exhibition), Hashtag Gallery, Mexico, Summer 2024; Palazzo Pisani Revedin, Venice, Fall 2024, Works available on Artsy

ODETTA Digital, Nature’s Way, September 2023 - February 2024 exclusively on ArtsyODETTA Digital II | Exquisite Codes Berlin, Berlin, Germany, 2023

Black, White and Shades of Gray, Stamford Art Association & Townhouse Gallery, Stamford, CT, 2023

Susan Carson: Abstract Realism - Reflections, Objects & Faceless Portraits, The Art Gallery at Shutter Speed Photo, Middlebury, CT, 2023

Harriet Pattison: Gardens & Landscapes (portrait of Harriet), Harvey & Irwin Kroiz Gallery, University of Pennsylvania, 2016

Aldrich Undercover: Secret Exhibition and Benefit Art Sale, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield CT, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006

Persistence of Vision, Gregory J. Peterson's Collection of Contemporary Realist Art, New York Academy of Art, 2011

CONNcentric, City-Wide Open Studios, Artspace New Haven, New Haven, CT, 2008

Open Juried Show; Connecticut Women Artists, John Slade Ely House, New Haven CT, 2008

Radius: Professional Practice Series for Artists, The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum and The Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield CT, 2004

76th Annual Open Juried Exhibition; Connecticut Women Artists, Jorgenson Gallery, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 2004

Publications

Susan Carson: Structure, Perspective And Abstract Realism, https://aatonau.com/susan-carson-structure-perspective-and-abstract-realism/, aatonau.com, 2023
Persistence of Vision, Gregory Peterson, blurb.com, 2011
Realism Now: The Peterson Collection, Fine Art Connoisseur, Matthias Anderson, 2007
The Peterson Collection of Contemporary Realist Art, Gregory Peterson, blurb.com, 2006

Collections

Numerous Private Collections
Portrait of Dr. William Baxt (ER retiree), Acrylic on canvas, 36 x 48”, 2013, University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia PA
Untitled, Acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20”, 1992, The Charles H. Taylor Visual Arts Center, Hampton VA