About the Artist Susan Monty

Photo by Julie Huss

Artist Susan Monty is a New England native who grew up in Windham and now resides in Derry, where she works out of a studio in her home. She works in diverse media including colored pencil, pastel, and oil to capture a realistic, but artistic, likeness of her subjects. Her love of nature and animals, especially horses, is evident in her choice of subject matter, which ranges from house pets to wildlife scenery.

Susan has a BA in graphic design from Notre Dame College in Manchester, New Hampshire, and she continues to study under the guidance of local artist and teacher Jean Wyman. She also enjoys continuing her art education by taking various classes and workshops.

An avid horseback rider and horse owner for many years, Susan has the knowledge to accurately portray her favorite subject. "I consider myself primarily an equine artist. I find horses endlessly fascinating. With expressive eyes, sleek bodies, strong musculature, and fluid manes and tails, I will never run out of things to say about them. Painting a horse is like running my hands over its body as I work. I feel the life as I paint." She grew up the typical 'horse-crazy' girl, and along with her best friend, Leslie, lived and breathed horses. "I remember tying ropes to our bicycle handlebars and pretending they were reins." Susan finally convinced her parents to get her a horse and Scout came into her life. He would be a treasured friend for 28 years and is fondly missed and remembered. The painting "Pieces of Me" shown below is a portrait of Scout and have great sentimental value to Susan.

Susan is an active member of the New England Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America and a member of the equine Art Guild. She is the drawing instructor for Derry Adult Education. "I love teaching adult education. I’ve met so many interesting and wonderful people. I enjoy passing on my love of art to others."

"Pieces of Me" Portrait of Scout

Susan displays her work in various local exhibits and shows. Her work has been accepted into several juried exhibits including the Sharon Arts Center Colored Pencil Society of New England 2004 Juried Exhibit. Four of her equine paintings have been accepted into the Equine Art Classic in 2004 and 2005, a juried exhibit held in conjunction with the Kentucky Derby. Her work has also won several awards including a People’s Choice award at the Snow Show in Derry. Susan was invited to participate in the “Out of the Box – The Colored Pencil as a Fine Art Medium” exhibit held at Southern New Hampshire University, and her painting “Dark Horse” was chosen for the show postcard. Susan’s paintings are in private collections throughout the country.