Susan Mandel

I have expressed myself creatively throughout my life, although painting in oil has become my passion in more recent years. I am also an internal medicine physician who has been practicing medicine for over 40 years. As a doctor, I have been deeply honored to have been trusted with my patient’s most intimate thoughts and struggles. Over time, the similarities in these worlds of art and medicine have become increasingly apparent. When I’m with my patients, I am100% present. Time becomes irrelevant, and information and ideas begin to flow through me. Likewise, when I stand at my easel, I lose all sense of the passing moments, the dialogue in my head quiets, and space is created to allow for the flow of inspiration into brushstrokes and imagery. I’m drawn to painting mood, light, memory, nostalgia and other emotional experience. But as part of my journey, I’ve also been inspired by two extraordinary artists and human beings who opened my eyes to the healing potential of creative expression. My mentor, Zhenya Gershman has demonstrated for me the power of art when used for advocacy/humanitarian efforts. With art therapist, Elizabeth Brian -Jacobs, we’ve explored how someone making a simple sketch of a dream can reveal deeper emotional states and intuitive guidance as they interpret through their own subconscious symbolic language. I do believe that there is a great deal more I’ll explore along this journey. I’m excited to see what emerges through my painting as I integrate these experiences as artist and physician. Susan Mandel is an artist whose work reflects a lifelong pursuit of observation, empathy, and the human experience. Following a distinguished 44-year career as an internal medicine physician, she now devotes herself fully to painting, bringing the same depth of focus and intuition that defined her medical practice into her artistic life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional art instruction became impossible, Susan began studying oil painting through live Zoom mentorship with acclaimed artist Zhenya Gershman at Z Art Academy. Starting as a complete beginner in the medium, she developed her practice through intensive one-on-one online instruction, demonstrating that artistic growth can transcend physical distance. Before discovering oil painting, Susan spent five years as an active member of an international community of digital artists, creating sophisticated works on the iPad using only her fingertips. She regularly participated in competitions, refining her artistic voice through critique and collaboration. After seeing Susan’s digital portfolio, Zhenya Gershman encouraged her to translate her skills to oil painting. Zhenya described the medium as “alive.” Deeply inspired by Zhenya’s passion, this became the pivotal moment marking the beginning of Susan’s journey into traditional painting. Today, Susan works from a dedicated home studio, where she continues to expand her artistic practice. She believes there are remarkable similarities between the art of healing and the act of creating, both requiring deep presence and intuition. Whether caring for patients or painting, she finds both disciplines to be opportunities to connect with something greater than ourselves, and to experience something deeply human. Susan’s work is informed by a lifetime of compassion, listening, and careful observation, transforming decades of caring for others into a deeply personal visual language.

Artist

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Susan Mandel

Los Angeles, United States

About

Susan Mandel is an artist whose work reflects a lifelong pursuit of observation, empathy, and the human experience. Following a distinguished 44-year career as an internal medicine physician, she now devotes herself fully to painting, bringing the same depth of focus and intuition that defined her medical practice into her artistic life.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional art instruction became impossible, Susan began studying oil painting through live Zoom mentorship with acclaimed artist Zhenya Gershman at Z Art Academy. Starting as a complete beginner in the medium, she developed her practice through intensive one-on-one online instruction, demonstrating that artistic growth can transcend physical distance.

Before discovering oil painting, Susan spent five years as an active member of an international community of digital artists, creating sophisticated works on the iPad using only her fingertips. She regularly participated in competitions, refining her artistic voice through critique and collaboration. After seeing Susan’s digital portfolio, Zhenya Gershman encouraged her to translate her skills to oil painting. Zhenya described the medium as “alive.” Deeply inspired by Zhenya’s passion, this became the pivotal moment marking the beginning of Susan’s journey into traditional painting.

Today, Susan works from a dedicated home studio, where she continues to expand her artistic practice. She believes there are remarkable similarities between the art of healing and the act of creating, both requiring deep presence and intuition. Whether caring for patients or painting, she finds both disciplines to be opportunities to connect with something greater than ourselves, and to experience something deeply human.

Susan’s work is informed by a lifetime of compassion, listening, and careful observation, transforming decades of caring for others into a deeply personal visual language.

Artist statement

I have expressed myself creatively throughout my life, although painting in oil has become my passion in more recent years. I am also an internal medicine physician who has been practicing medicine for over 40 years. As a doctor, I have been deeply honored to have been trusted with my patient’s most intimate thoughts and struggles.

Over time, the similarities in these worlds of art and medicine have become increasingly apparent. When I’m with my patients, I am100% present. Time becomes irrelevant, and information and ideas begin to flow through me. Likewise, when I stand at my easel, I lose all sense of the passing moments, the dialogue in my head quiets, and space is created to allow for the flow of inspiration into brushstrokes and imagery.

I’m drawn to painting mood, light, memory, nostalgia and other emotional experience. But as part of my journey, I’ve also been inspired by two extraordinary artists and human beings who opened my eyes to the healing potential of creative expression. My mentor, Zhenya Gershman has demonstrated for me the power of art when used for advocacy/humanitarian efforts. With art therapist, Elizabeth Brian -Jacobs, we’ve explored how someone making a simple sketch of a dream can reveal deeper emotional states and intuitive guidance as they interpret through their own subconscious symbolic language.

I do believe that there is a great deal more I’ll explore along this journey. I’m excited to see what emerges through my painting as I integrate these experiences as artist and physician.