Susan Baker Chambers has a way of thoughtfully capturing the charm of a Southern garden with her eye-catching acrylic compositions that buzz with saturated color and energy.
Fueled by a strong connection to nature and color, the Little Rock artist paints her garden in a way that transcends time and space, practically pulling the viewer into what she calls her “crazy quilt” garden.
“I want to awaken the viewer to the energy and beauty of nature in their environment,” Susan says. “I believe that nature and art are essential to our health and well-being.”
She and her husband, George, live in the Quapaw Quarter historic district of Little Rock, where they operate Chambers Studio. Susan preserves her garden through art, and George professionally photographs her work.
The couple has lived in their 1905 home for about four decades, gradually shaping the landscape with privacy hedges, gardens and trees.
“When my husband and I moved to our house, there were many large native trees and remnants of previous garden paths and planting,” Susan says. “In 2020, I read Nature's Best Hope by Douglas Tallamy, which introduced me to the concept of conservation in my yard and a purpose for our land.”
Susan’s paintings, like Sanctuary and My Garden View, are visual odes to the harmonious chaos of nature.
“Using acrylic paint, I work with color and space to create a magical place between reality and abstraction,” Susan says. “Space is flattened and compressed to express the density and chaos of abundance."
Sanctuary grew from a drawing Susan did of her garden from her sun porch. It portrays a scenic view of a hummingbird feeder surrounded by native sunflowers, cockscomb, zinnias and a mammoth sunflower, rendered with soft lines and bold colors.
“We often eat on the sun porch, and I watch the activity in the garden and think about possible compositions,” Susan says. “I love the contrast of the bright red, symmetrical, geometric hummingbird feeder with the organic plants.”
My Garden View offers another snapshot of her garden, where native sunflowers and coneflowers rise, partially obscuring her neighbor’s house in the background. Susan recalls being drawn to the towering sunflowers, paying little attention to what was behind them.
“Later, I was scrolling through my photos and realized it appeared the house was being overgrown by nature,” Susan says. “I also liked the contrast of the geometric house shape with the organic chaos.”
For those who want to paint their own garden, Susan encourages hands-on involvement and close observation of what is growing, staying alert to potential compositions.
“Since I have planted natives from the Native Plant Sale at Audubon, my yard is more diverse and interesting,” Susan says.
As she sits in the garden, Susan draws in her sketchbook, taking notes and photographs to deepen her understanding of each plant’s structure.
“When I am in my studio, I am in my own world,” she says. “Painting requires honesty and intense problem-solving with color and space.”
Where the garden took root
From a young age, Susan was immersed in nature, spending her days digging in the dirt and exploring the woods. At age 5, she moved from Dallas to Little Rock and fell in love with the city’s “large trees, lush vegetation and old neighborhoods.”
“I played outside as a child and have always enjoyed being in nature and using my imagination,” she says.
Susan’s artistic curiosity bloomed during visits to family in Chicago, where her artist aunt took her to the Art Institute. There, Susan encountered the work of Van Gogh and the post-Impressionists. At 12, she took a painting class at the Arkansas Arts Center with James Valone.
In 1974, Susan graduated from Rhodes College with a bachelor's degree in art and, five years later, received a master of fine arts in painting from the University of Georgia.
She went on to work as an artist in residence with the Arkansas Arts Council and held adjunct positions at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, the University of Central Arkansas and Hendrix College.
During a pivotal moment at Monet’s garden in Giverny, France, Susan became intrigued by the idea of an artist growing their own garden to paint. Back at home, she started planting native plants to attract and protect birds and pollinators.
“I let nature take over with some weeding and curation from me,” she says.
Susan’s art has been featured in museums, such as Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Historic Arkansas Museum and galleries including Justus Art Gallery in Hot Springs and Boswell Mourot Fine Art in Little Rock.
Her work has been exhibited nationally and regionally in public and corporate collections, including Carillon Importers, Central Arkansas Library System, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Southeast Arkansas Arts and Science Center.
“Our weather patterns are changing due to global warming. Many of us want to make changes in our approach to our landscape but are unfamiliar with native plants, which can withstand drought, temperature changes and sustain pollinators,” Susan says. “As an artist, I am intrigued by natives and use them frequently in my paintings. Hopefully, the viewer will enjoy them visually and introduce them to their own environment."
“I want to awaken the viewer to the energy and beauty of nature in their environment.”
Susan’s works can be viewed at Boswell Mourot Fine Art, 1501 Main Street, Suite H, in Little Rock and on her website, susanbakerchambers.com.