Sue Hards
After gaining my degree in Graphic Design I spent my most of my career teaching Art, Textiles and History of Art both in this country and overseas.  Throughout this time I have always drawn and explored different techniques including batik, felt-making, calligraphy, collograph and dry-point etching, which then fed into my teaching.  Museums and galleries have exerted a profound influence on me over the years, feeding my fascination with the art and material culture of other countries and I continue to visit and draw from museum collections as often as I can. 

It has taken a long time to find my ‘artistic voice’ but about 15 years ago I realised that in addition to drawing and painting from observation I needed to express my responses to the world in a non-representational way.  This has taken the form of mixed-media and collage pieces that do not reference any specific aspect of nature for example but instead translate my visual experiences.  I am specifically interested in colour combinations, surfaces and the notion of ‘edges’.

My work rarely incorporates found images or ephemera but I focus on creating a wide range of paper and card samples which become my paints and brushes.  I tend to work spontaneously and intuitively, feeling my way through to a finished piece.  On retiring from teaching I have gained a long-sought opportunity to develop and deepen my practice. This is my ’third life’ and I am still learning.
Email: suemhards@yahoo.com​