Susie Rosso Wolf, born in 1956 in the coastal city of Santa Monica, California, has spent her life charting a course defined by artistic curiosity and expression. Known simply as SR Wolf, her path to artistry began at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). While initially drawn to the intellectual world of art history, it wasn’t long before she found herself captivated by the broader possibilities of creative expression. In time, her artistic voice would truly find its resonance amidst the quiet expanse of rural Montana.
At CalArts, her introduction to art wasn’t through traditional tools like brushes or canvases but rather through the stories and visual narratives explored in her art history classes. These lessons became her doorway into the larger artistic world, sparking ideas and dreams that she would carry forward. While the journey wasn’t always linear, the obstacles Wolf faced only deepened her commitment to finding her place in the art world.
Life’s twists pushed her to adapt and grow, shaping her perspective and work. Today, Wolf calls Montana home, a setting where the rugged, untamed beauty of nature is both a constant companion and a source of inspiration. Her studio, tucked away in this wild landscape, is where she channels her surroundings’ energy into bold and evocative works of art.
Susie Rosso Wolf’s Pandemonium 1 doesn’t merely depict nature; it embodies its raw power and unpredictability. Inspired by the fierce winds that sweep through Montana, the painting translates chaos into an intense and vibrant composition. It’s a visual exploration of nature’s dominance, a reminder that we exist at the mercy of forces much greater than ourselves.
The spark for this work came during one of Wolf’s walks in the Montana wilderness. The Tobacco Roots and Spanish Peaks mountain ranges seemed to clash in her view as warm, forceful winds rushed through the valley. Gusts clocking in at 70 miles per hour stripped trees of their autumn leaves, turning the trail into a swirling tapestry of orange, yellow, and burnt umber. Branches cracked and flew, and the roar of the wind was unrelenting. This wasn’t just an observation of nature’s power—it was an experience that demanded to be expressed.
Back in her studio, Wolf translated this sensory overload onto a 36×36-inch gallery canvas. She worked with a variety of mediums—acrylics, metallics, ink, and chalk—to create a layered and textured piece that mirrors the complexity of the storm. Metallics captured the shifting light, ink added depth and grounding, and chalk introduced an ephemeral quality, reflecting the fleeting nature of the scene she experienced.
The energy of the painting lies in its movement. Bold yet fluid strokes create a sense of dynamism, while the interplay of warm, earthy tones captures the colors of autumn caught in the storm’s grasp. Wolf’s composition is alive with motion, pulling viewers into the heart of the chaos. Standing before it, you can almost feel the wind whipping against your skin and hear its deafening roar.
In Pandemonium 1, Wolf refrains from romanticizing the landscape. Instead, she embraces its raw, untamed energy. This is not a serene or idyllic portrayal of nature but a reminder of its ferocity and indifference. The work challenges viewers to confront the dual nature of the environment—a source of life and beauty but also one of destruction and power.
The size of the canvas plays a key role in immersing the viewer. Its scale demands attention, surrounding you with the same overwhelming force Wolf experienced on that trail. The large surface allows the interplay of textures and colors to truly breathe, evoking the boundless energy of the storm.
Wolf’s creative process for this piece mirrors the storm itself—unpredictable and organic. She allows her materials to interact naturally, creating unexpected textures and layers that give the painting a sense of life and motion. The metallics catch and shift in the light, much like leaves tossed in the wind, while the chalk and ink offer depth and grounding.
At its core, Pandemonium 1 is more than a reflection of a storm; it’s a tribute to nature’s rawness and resilience. The work is both a celebration and a reckoning—a visual narrative of the forces that shape the world around us. For Wolf, the painting is deeply personal, rooted in her connection to the Montana landscape and the energy it infuses into her art.
In Pandemonium 1, Wolf captures not just a moment but an essence. The painting isn’t just something to look at; it’s an experience, one that invites you to stand in the presence of nature’s unbridled power.
