The feel of a pastel stick making contact with my hand; the sound of it releasing pigment onto the paper, the shedding of dust.
A meditative process through which connections emerge and listening is the key that unlocks response.
That statement in gesture and colour both fragile and bold reaching out for its story to be told.
A flight of imagination.
A love letter to life.
My passion for drawing and painting has been lifelong, something of a compulsion, or obsession perhaps.
I am a largely self-taught artist, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the artists who unknowingly have inspired and encouraged me through the story of their journey in life and their artworks.
My work is inspired by maps and landscapes, current affairs, life experiences and childhood. Soft pastel is my favourite medium, and I find it ideal to explore the themes of fragility, resilience, tension and balance which fascinate me. Working directly with my hands and fingers on the paper is a very important aspect of my art practice, and the tactile and expressive quality of pastel provides an immersive and challenging experience as I paint.
I prefer to work intuitively drawing upon memories, sketches, studies and imagination so that the painting gradually evolves and I am aware of an ebb and flow process during which I keep an open mind about the direction the work will take.
Susie Prangnell PS
Elected a member of the Pastel Society in 2023
In 2024, I was honoured by the Pastel Society by having my painting “Another Dilemma” featured as the 125th Anniversary Exhibition catalogue cover image.
You can see more of my paintings, studies and sketches on my Instagram account, susieprangnell
Selected exhibitions and awards
2025 The Pastel Society 126th Annual Exhibitio, Mall Gallerie, London, 22nd January- 8th February
2024 The New Ashgate, Farnham, Surrey, selected Pastel Society members, May/June 2024
2024 The Gallery Holt, Norfolk, Plumbago 24th February- 2nd April
2024 The 125th Anniversary Pastel Society Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2024 Exhibition of paintings with Stephen Prangnell at The Sheppey Inn, Lower Godney, Wells, BA5 1RZ
2023 The Gallery Holt, Norfolk, Enigma July 2023
2023 The Pastel Society 124th Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2022 The Gallery Holt, Norfolk, The Colour and Shape
2022 The Pastel Society Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2021 The Gallery Holt, Norfolk, “Fusion”
2021 Quay Arts Open Exhibition “Freedom”
2021 St Barbe Lymington Open Exhibition
2021 The Pastel Society Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2020 Quay Arts Cafe “Balance” solo exhibition
2020 The Gallery Holt, Norfolk, “Drawing From the Heart”
2020 Award Winners Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London (online)
2020 The Pastel Society, Mall Galleries, London First Prize The Pastel Society Catalogue Award
2019 St Barbe Lymington Open Exhibition
2017 Quay Arts Open Exhibition “I Must Down to the Seas Again”
2016 St Barbe Lymington Open Exhibition Highly Commended
Artist talk with Georgia Newman, solo exhibition “Balance”
Back in 2020, I was invited by Quay Arts Centre, Newport, Isle of Wight, to display my work in the cafe as a solo exhibition, “Balance”.
Here is a YouTube link to the artist talk I had with Georgia Newman about the exhibition..
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CNdEqP_JcFA