SUSAN HOLTZ PHOTOGRAPHY

Susan Holtz is a locally recognized film based and digital artist living on the North Shore of Chicago.  Her practice is a form of visual meditation inspired by poetic symbolism and metaphor.  Her intent is to bring a deeper awareness to the transient and subtle beauty of nature in the cycle of life.

 

Her serious journey in photography began when she had a rare opportunity to mentor with Jack Leblebijian, a legendary master in the art of darkroom printing.  Working with Jack, she discovered the appeal of black white photography to be the stunning ability to reduce a scene to it’s basic elements of light, shape, texture, pattern and mood, She became aware that the strength of an image rests in the simplicity of composition and emotional message. Learning from Jack, she became a printer in her own right and discovered that you cannot make a good print without first making a rich negative.  This served her well when she transferred these same techniques from film to digital.  Moving along she has embraced the technology of today, found room for color and still uses film from time to time.

 

She claims that she cannot imagine her creative path without her mentorship with Jack.  He was an exceptionally talented person who came into her life and brought meaning to it.  She strives to live by the standards of excellence he required of himself.

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She has continued her education at The School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, The Santa Fe Workshops and The Maine Media Workshops.  She is a member of the Chicago Photographic Arts Society, The Wilmette Arts Guild, The North Shore Art League and The Highland Park Art Center.  Along with exhibiting in galleries both locally and throughout the United States, her work has been published and can be found in permanent and private collections.