Susan Bright Lautmann Hertel

American, 1930 - 1992

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Susan Bright Lautmann Hertel (1930-1993) emerged from the landscapes of Illinois, growing up in Highland Park, just beyond the borders of Chicago. Her formative years were enriched by family summers at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and later, in the scenic backdrop of Arizona. These experiences fostered a deep connection with the natural world that would permeate her artistic expression.

Hertel's artistic journey took root early on, evident in childhood sketchbooks from classes at the Chicago Art Institute, where her fascination with horses found its visual form. For nearly three decades, she engaged in a fruitful collaboration with Millard Sheets, contributing to the design and production of public murals and artworks across the United States. These creations adorned spaces for Home Savings of America, as well as libraries, hospitals, restaurants, houses, and churches.

In 1980, Susan Hertel made a significant shift, leaving California to establish roots in New Mexico. This move marked a pivotal moment as she redirected her focus towards her personal artistic endeavors, exploring gouache studies and crafting expansive oil-on-canvas paintings.

Hertel's art transcends the ordinary, capturing the extraordinary in the everyday. Her paintings radiate joy and serenity, celebrating the beauty found in mundane rituals and simple pleasures. At the heart of her art are the people, creatures, and places closest to her: her five children, a diverse menagerie of animals including horses, dogs, cats, and goats, and her ranch in Cerrillos, New Mexico. Through her brushstrokes, she bestowed dignity upon these humble subjects and transformed the routine activities of daily life into poetic images, frozen in the embrace of memory.

The impact of Susan Hertel's art extends beyond her canvas, resonating in solo and group exhibitions across Southern California, Arizona, Idaho, and New Mexico. Her paintings, infused with personal narratives and universal charm, have found a home in numerous private collections, continuing to captivate audiences with their timeless allure.