Professional Life
APRIL 2013 – ART WORKSHOP WITH ROBERT BATEMAN
My artist group “The Tobin Island Artists” spent an entire week plus in the Bahamas painting together. This is the second year that Robert Bateman has joined us. He showed us how he starts a painting beginning with the “thought” or “idea”. He feels it’s the most important thing, even more so than excellent painting skills. The underpainting is acrylic blocked in with a large brush paying attention to values & composition. After sealing the surface, he finishes in oils. Lost edges are key to making an image even more real. We really enjoyed our time together. I painted a sea scene which I’ll post on my website.
NOVEMBER 2012 – ROBERT BATEMAN AWARD
Myself together with the Tobin Island Artist Group were the first recipients of the annual Robert Bateman Award. We recieved this award at a gala event at the National Gallery in Ottawa last November, “Bateman Paints Canada” in conjunction with the 50th Anniversay of the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
The Robert Bateman Award recognizes outstanding contribution to conservation awareness through artistic expression to an individual artist or group. The Tobin Island Artists brought international attention to the plight of loons on our lakes by the childrens’ book, “Larry the Loon” by Judith McMurray. Robert Bateman wrote the foreward of this book and added his loon painting, Northern Reflections-Loon Family 24″ x 36″, oil, 1981 to the original artwork by the Tobin Island Artists.
Larry the Loon, by Judith McMurray is a Canadian National Best Seller and has educated adults and children alike.
AUGUST 2012 – ROBERT & BIRGIT BATEMAN VISIT THE TOBIN ISLAND ARTISTS
Robert Bateman, internationally celebrated wildlife artist visits the Tobin Island Artists in our studio on Tobin’s Island, Lake Rosseau. Bob is showing us how he starts a painting by blocking in the values. The image was taken from a lily pad pond right outside our studio and uploaded on a ipad for reference. His wife Birgit Freybe-Bateman, a muli-media artist and photographer was in attendence. Bob & Birgit stayed with us at the Gosevitz cottage sharing good times and exchanging ideas.
JUNE 2012 – SUSAN GOSEVITZ AT RED CANOE GALLERY
The Red Canoe Gallery situated in Port Carling, Ontario has been established for twenty years under the direction of Carola Grimm, artist and curator. It is one of the most sought after galleries in Muskoka and my paintings are now being exhibited at this unique gallery. My loon paintings are being featured with additional works to follow. I’m also in the process of building a studio on Lake Rosseau with completion in early fall. Muskoka is an endless source of inspiration for my work.
MARCH 2012 – ART WORKSHOP WITH ROBERT BATEMAN
I spent a week with Robert Bateman in the Bahamas with my fellow artists and friends from Muskoka. This photo shows Bob demonstrating his approach to painting, always beginning with a loose underpainting using a thick brush. He is an excellent teacher, brilliant wildlife artist and speaker. He gave two talks during the week. One directed at highschool students in Lyford Cay with the emphasis on the importance of connecting with nature and the second talk at the Lyford Cay Club which outlined his illustrious career and devotion to enviromental causes. His honours and awards are numerous including several honoury doctorates, Officer of the Order of Canada, Order of British Columbia, recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Medal, Governor General Award for Conservation, Golden Plate Award presented by American Academy of Achievement and Amnesty International Human Rights Defender Award plus many more.
His energy is amazing with 18 commissioned works to create in the next 2 years. Bateman’s collectors include the British Royal Family, HRH The Prince Charles, HRH The Prince Philip, and HRH The Late Princess Grace of Monaco and HRH Bernhard, Prince of the Netherlands.
Robert Bateman’s wife Birgit Freybe Bateman is an accomplished artist and photographer. Both she and Bob are expert orintholgists and naturalists. When Robert Bateman was teaching me art back in the 60′s, he was already famous in Africa and Eurasia, unkown at Nelson High School in Burlington! I count myself lucky that I have met this outstanding artist and educator.
DECEMBER 2011 – ROBERT BATEMAN & THE TOBIN ISLAND ARTISTS
Canadian Wildlife Artist Robert Bateman joined forces with the artists from the Tobin Island School of Fine Art together promoting their joint children’s book, “Larry the Loon” by Judith McMurray, launched August 2011 in Muskoka. The Tobin Island Artists share a common passion for educating the young through their love of art, respect for nature and protecting our Canadian Wildlife. “Larry the Loon” is a Canadian best seller and has touched the hearts of adults and children alike.
Robert Bateman and representatives from the Canadian Wildlife Federation greeted guests attending this celebrated event. The Toronto Sun & City TV covered this event. Artist Susan Gosevitz is a former student of Robert Bateman still learning and sharing ideas together with the artists of the Tobin Island School of Fine Art.
OCTOBER 2011 – MUSKOKA ART STUDIO
We have now purchased a cottage on beautiful Lake Rosseau in the heart of Muskoka Lakes in northern Ontario. Muskoka provides the inspiration for my work which depicts nature in a serene setting.
I will be building my own art studio and gallery which will be up and running by the summer of 2012. For several summers I have shared a studio with my fellow artists from the Tobin Island School of Fine Art and I will continue to paint with them. An artist enriches their art by sharing ideas with their artist friends. Painting alone is important too as every artist needs to find their own voice.
Look for me in the Muskoka Arts & Crafts guide 2012.
DECEMBER, 2010 – SOCIETY OF CANADIAN ARTISTS (SCA)
Susan Gosevitz, SCA
I am now an elected member of the Society of Canadian Artists as a result of a jurying process based on my artwork and application. It is an honour to be a member of this national artists’ organization which is dedicated to promoting the visibility and stature of the visual arts. SCA has representation in all of the visual arts media across Canada. I was introduced at the SCA Winter Party held on December 1st at the Arts & Letter Club in Toronto along with other successful applicants.
In 1972, The Society of Canadian Artists received its’ charter and non-profit status. It organizes and administers public exhibitions of the work of members and non-members and gives leadership within the arts community in Canada. It recognizes the highest qualities of art through a program of awards.
The SCA is committed to strengthening its national presence in Canada by promoting excellence in traditional forms of artistic expression, and by encouraging acceptance and growth of contemporary and experimental forms of visual art. www.societyofcanadianartists.com
OCTOBER, 2010 – TOBIN ISLAND SCHOOL OF FINE ART
I’ve been painting with the Tobin Island School of Fine Art for several years.
In 2009 we collaborated to illustrate a children’s book Chucky The Lonely Inukshuk to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Canada (JDRF).
This past summer we decided to illustrate our second children’s book Larry the Loon, which will be published next spring.
Our studio is on Tobin’s Island overlooking Lake Rosseau which is the perfect environment for an artist like me who likes to paint nature. In this photo I am working on my first illustration for our new book and our friend, Laurie McKinnon plays his guitar for us.
JUNE 2010 – KARMA CREATIVE MENTORING PROGRAM
Karma Creative is an art studio in Toronto devoted to visual arts programs for adults. It takes a developmental approach to adult learning and art-making focusing on the needs of individuals. I have been invited by Karma-Creative to be one of their member artists. I am attending the first mentoring session conducted by Maggie Dozwell and Karen Chisvin, the founders of Karma-Creative.
As a member artist I will be conducting workshops in the upcoming months. I will be sharing my experience and skills as a landscape painter which will be challenging but a lot of fun!
GALLERY REPRESENTATION – ARCTIC MOON ART GALLERY
Cynthia Waye, art historian and curator stands in the doorway of her new gallery, Arctic Moon Art Gallery. Cynthia is a fine art consultant who has worked at the Art Gallery of Ontario and the McMichael Gallery. She represents itinerant artists who call Muskoka home part of the year as well as international artists. I am delighted to be on board as one of Cynthia’s artists.
I am represented from May to October at:
Arctic Moon Art Gallery
1324 Peninsula Road
Port Sandfield, Ontario
705.765.5100
Gallery hours:
Monday – Friday 11 – 5 pm Saturday 10-6 pm
Sunday 12-5 pm
APRIL 2009 – TSA GRAD SHOW
I felt a sense of great accomplishment graduating from the Toronto School of Art. Even though I have been painting most of my life, I wanted to graduate from an art school as part of my goal to become a practicing professional artist. Over a 4 year period, I completed all 20 credits of their Fine Art Diploma. I was awarded The Edie Yolles Award for excellence in painting to a graduating student. I can’t say enough about TSA’s talented teachers and excellent courses. TSA is celebrating its 40th Anniversary as Toronto’s leading independent art school.
JULY 2008 – ROBERT BATEMAN
When I attended high school in Burlington, Ontario, Robert Bateman taught me art and geography. He later became famous as a Wildlife Artist. It is interesting as an artist myself that I too have a keen interest in nature and the natural world. Robert Bateman was speaking in Bracebridge Ontario and I reconnected with him at Doug Dunford’s studio, my friend and fellow artist.
JUNE 2008 – TOBIN ISLAND SCHOOL OF FINE ART
This is a photo of me working in a Muskoka studio on Tobin’s Island. Canadian Realism Artist Doug Dunford has been mentoring our group of five. We have been painting together for several summers and have become great friends. My thanks to Doug for sharing his talent and techniques with us. Doug is also a former student of Robert Bateman.