"Meet Your Artist" - by Tricia Swenson
Vail Daily dated 02/16/2024
Meet Your Artist: Soodi Kick
Get to know your Vail Valley artists
The Vail Daily is showcasing area artists in a series called “Meet Your Artist” so you can learn more about those who create and what inspires them. If you are an area artist and would like to be featured in the series, email Tricia Swenson (tswenson@vaildaily.com).
How long have you lived in the valley and what brought you here?
We have been residents of the valley for the last 15 years and the reason we moved to this area was to be closer to our daughter and her family. It turned out that we loved the location and loved the people and groups we met.
Where did your passion for art come from?
The passion for art grew in me when I went to England for college and realized that I could communicate better by drawing than talking. At the time, I was learning English and not very fluent in it, that was many, many years ago. I finished my education in architecture and then switched to art in real life.
Describe your style of art.
My style of art is expressionistic. Many of the masters of painting that I love had discovered that colors and shapes transformed the emotion and raised interest.
Who are your favorite artists?
My favorite artists are Cecily Brown, Chagall, Paul Klee and Monet.
Tell us about one of your favorite pieces that you’ve worked on.
One of my new favorite pieces is the one I did on commission for The Charter at Beaver Creek. It is hanging in the front lobby, and it’s Colorado from an expressionist perspective. Powerful and descriptive.
Who has helped you along the way? Who/what inspires you?
Nature is my most relevant inspiration. I just love to see the world in fused sections of color patches playing their part in light and darkness.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing?
If I wasn’t an artist today I will be a naturalist.
What do you hope people take away from your work?
I hope people take away a sense of mystery and love for what we see around us, for the gifts that we have been given daily by the fact that we can discover with our senses and visualize with our mind.
Where is your work shown (a local gallery) or how/where can people view it?
My work is at The Charter at Beaver Creek and the Vail Valley Art Guild Gallery on Second Street in Eagle, Blue Goat apothecary in Gypsum and Color Coffee in Eagle Ranch houses a large, beautiful piece that was inspired by hiking in Cordillera. I also have pieces at Gallery C in Raleigh, North Carolina.
