The Montreal Gazette

Susan Pepler paints cars, wonderful big, bold Cuban cars. She paints flowers, beautiful dancing peonies and roses, spilling out across the canvas. Her cars speak of the bygone days of Havana, her florals of warmth and joy. You can’t help but feel her effervescent spirit when viewing her art. I spoke with Susan in her Shaughnessy Village home about her art and what moves her to paint.

Why paint Cuban Cars?

Because of the colours, the chrome, the architecture and palm trees in the background. And, of course, the history of the country. The ingenuity and creativity the people use to keep the cars alive fascinates me. It’s a picture of beauty to capture a car in front of the Capitolio with palm trees.

Is the painting technique different between the florals and the cars?

Certainly the cars require much more correct architectural, pictorial structure. In both cases the arrangement and composition of colours is equally exciting, whether I’m painting flowers or cars.

Why do you listen to music when painting?

I’m so easily distracted. When I play music, it cuts out all the other stuff in my head and I sing along with the music. That really leaves no room for any distracting thoughts. I can’t sing and think at the same time! Once I’m deeply into the painting, the music might stop and I wouldn’t notice. For the cars, I like latin music or reggae. Bob Marley is a favourite. For the flowers, it could be classical. Emma Shapplin, maybe. Sometimes I switch to Adele or Amy Winehouse.

How do you achieve that movement in the florals and that essence of heat and a time-gone-by in the cars?

Somehow it’s by getting into the zone, that place where nothing’s going on except seeing…there are no words in my head. Everything is just visual for me. Magic happens in that state.

Is there a flower that projects an emotion or feeling for you?

The petals of roses are a velvety caress, they are warmth and comfort… actually, they are embracing.

How has Montreal affected you as an artist?

It was great having a studio in the Belgo Building and meeting some fabulous other artists there. I love my own studio in my Victorian House. And I love Montreal — it’s just buzzing and alive — never a dull moment. But… if I want one, I can go in my backyard.

You were recently in Europe. Did any of the galleries leave an imprint on you?

The National Portrait Gallery in London. The British have done some of the best portraiture on the planet. In Prague, the Mucha Museum. Alphonse Mucha was multi-talented. He even designed buildings. He blew me away.

Have you ever experienced a period where you were not inspired to take brush in hand?

Oh yeah… I have ups and downs in the creative process like anybody else. We can’t be ‘on’ all the time.

Do you have advice for aspiring young artists?

Take a business marketing course. Nothing is going to happen if nobody knows about you.

Would you consider painting a gardener’s truck full of flowers, uniting the cars and florals?

Only if the sun was shining and it was a truck with character. Light is really key to me. At a recent showing, a man stood staring at my canvases. “I really like your work. It’s so…happy.” That’s it! I paint to bring happiness and joy into their worlds. Who couldn’t use a little more happy?