Susan Bartel sees the world through painting, whether it’s capturing the light at that just-right second, or exploring details often overlooked. Moments of awe in the familiar, the common, are her inspiration, and she hopes to convey the emotion she feels through her work. Bartel’s current collection, I Noticed, Visual Stories by Susan Bartel, is now on display at the McPherson Public Library through April 27th.

“Painting in watercolor is my passion,” says Bartel, “I covet the unexpected miracles that happen in watercolor – it’s a dance between control and letting the colors mix and sing for themselves. I use a limited palette, often preferring to work with only three primary colors, watching the colors mix on the painting, rather than the palette. When my work is going well I am filled with a sense of wonder at the beauty of color and the world we inhabit. My hope is that some of this wonder is also conveyed to you, the viewer.”

Bartel currently resides with her husband in North Newton and is a signature member of the Kansas Watercolor Society.