Susan von Borstel

Biography

Susan is an internationally known artist of horses, wildlife and people. She started painting and drawing animals at a young age and went on to receive a BS degree from the University of Colorado in Zoology and Art.

After being chosen to illustrate the horse breeds for the multimillion-dollar Kentucky Horse Park, she went on to join the American Academy of Equine Art and won the People’s Choice Award in the AAEA annual art show. She won first place for oil paintings at the Western States Horse Expo in 1999 and 2000. She has since judged that show several times. Susan’s work has appeared on numerous magazine covers, in magazine articles and at many art galleries. Susan was the featured artist at the 2018 Cattlemen’s Art Show in California and won the People’s Choice Awards in 2016.

“I’ve always loved to paint. Hours go by quickly when I’m lost in a project and I often wish there was more time. Several years ago, while riding horses with a group in Southern Spain I became intrigued by the patterns in old stone walls and walkways. Like seeing images in clouds, I began imagining images of horses, animals and scenes in these old worn stones. I worked with several chemists to develop an archival process for painting on stone, whether very hard like granite and marble or softer like onyx, travertine or slate. I took five stone paintings to an art show and they all sold while I was hanging them. I’ve been creating them with great joy ever since. I am now also exploring depicting movement and time with oil paint on canvas and board.”

Artwork to be Showcased