Susan Wakeen [NM] : William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) [RA 1877-1916], 2022.
Susan Wakeen [NM] : William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) [RA 1877-1916], 2022.
Susan Wakeen [NM] : William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) [RA 1877-1916], 2022.
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Susan Wakeen [NM] : Portrait bust of William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) [RA 1877-1916], 2022.

Susan Wakeen [NM]
Portrait bust of William Merritt Chase (1849-1916) [RA 1877-1916], 2022.
Clay maquette
? x ? x ? inches
Unsigned.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

The Fine Art of the Sculpted Portrait is Susan’s passion. Her works are inspired by the emotions of people in everyday life. The individual expressions and realistic depictions of her portraits hold a timeless quality which she hopes will survive decades of observation.

“I strive to capture a personal and sensitive narrative unique to each sculpted portrait,yet universal in its emotive quality. Portrait sculpture has the ability to tell the human story in delightful and profound ways. One senses immortality in the sculpted portrait. I try to capture the fragility and strength of humanity that can live beyond our lifetimes.” Susan has received the highest National and International awards, honors, and recognitions by the industry!s most prestigious art organizations. She has recently been recognized by the Portrait Society of America as a master sculptor in achieving Signature Status.

She has been accepted into The National Sculpture Society!s Annual Exhibitions, Art Renewal Center Salon Shows, Portrait Society of America!s Annual Conferences,Salmagundi, Allied Artist, Academic Artist and more. Susan has received over forty-eight additional industry awards and honors.

Susan was recently accepted into the Brookgreen Gardens Master!s Teaching Programat Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, SC, home of the largest and most comprehensive collection of American figurative sculpture in the country. Her travels have taken her to Italy, China, Spain, and Grenada to study and perfect her artistry. These experiences have been a rich part of her transition from the commercial field of design to the fine art world, allowing her to embrace the history and works of the great masters.

Susan’s career beginnings started with founding The Littlest Ballet Company LLC and The Susan Wakeen Doll Company Inc. in 1982 and 1985 respectively. She debuted her sculptures and dolls in New York City at the International Toy Fair where she was instantly recognized for her outstanding work and awarded “Doll of The Year” for her sculpture of Jeanne. She went on to become Senior Designer at Hasbro Toys in Pawtucket Rhode Island and contributed greatly to the growth of the doll design department.

Susan!s lifelong passion for art compelled back to sculpture. She furthered her studies with private instructors, Joshua Grahm, and Dorothy Lepler. Susan gained an elevated level of observation, discipline, design, and control as she continued her training at The Scottsdale Artist School. Rosalind Cook and Betty-Pat Gatliff, the country!s leading forensic facial reconstruction artist had an indelible effect on Susan!s concentration of the study of the portrait. Additionally she attended The Art Students League in NY to study with renowned portrait artist Max Ginsburg.

Today, Susan continues to teach, study, and sculpt daily in her studio in Litchfield, Ct. One can often see five projects at different stages of finish. She offers workshops around the country as she feels it is important to carry forward all that she has been fortunate to learn.

Her works can be found in galleries, museums, and private collections throughout the United States and Europe.

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ARTIST’S STATEMENT

William Merritt Chase (1849 – 1916) Father, Artist, Teacher
Sculpture for Salmagundi Library, Susan Wakeen

As an artist and educator, I chose William Merritt Chase because of his relevance and strong standing in the art community both nationally and internationally. As the father of American Impressionism he helped catapult the unseen women artist to the forefront of the art scene.

He led the movement for the acceptance of impressionism as he mastered a wide range of subjects in oil and pastel. His landscape, portraits and still life, and interiors inspired many. Students and artists today continue to benefit from his teachings. Chase founded the Chase School of Art which later became the New York Academy of Art and then the Shinnecock Summer School which was funded by women some of whom also sought as a mentor.

As I developed this sculpture it was important to depict his freshness of attitude, uplifting spirit for his students as well as his gaiety and charm displayed in his paintings and persona. He had the uncanny ability to look at the common vistas of life and give them an extraordinary appeal. He judged his students solely on their work and encouraged them become their own creative self. Among those students Chase taught, Georgia O’keefe ,Edward Hopper, Mardsen Hartley.

He has often been described as the performative teacher. He presented with formality of dress (coat, ascot, and sometimes even a top hat) and believed an artist should always present well in appearance as the profession was worthy of much respect. When painting a portrait, he can be quoted as saying, “Paint the personality first, then paint the image”.

I have therefore sculpted him in this manner and hope that the board can feel my enthusiasm for this subject as I felt it important to capture the likeness of his spirit as well as the likeness of his person. He remains relevant to our times and should be represented in the Salmagundi Library.