Remembering Sue Cavanaugh 1948-2022
In June of 2018, Sue Cavanaugh, an established fiber & installation artist, decided she wanted to incorporate relief printmaking into her art practice. She began weekly One-to-One sessions with core member, Judith Steele.
“Sue was an adventurous and talented student. I encouraged her to be proud of her progress and recall how much we laughed during the lessons. I am grateful to have known such a positive and generous woman.”
Judith Steele
Sue proceeded to become an Associate Member at the cooperative, continued creating her cartoons in relief and also participated in a member group exhibition, Visible Ink, at The Ohio State University Faculty Club in 2020.
“Sue was truly delightful and I always had so much fun in the studio when she came in to work. Her prints made me laugh out loud! I will miss her.”
Marilyn McPheron
Recently, Sue met with Judith to donate all her relief printmaking tools and supplies to our studio. Thank you, Sue.
Early this year, Sue finished a large fiber installation which will be included in a group exhibit at the Mansfield Art Center in 2023.
Shown above: Sue Cavanaugh and her relief print with chine collé titled “A nurse, a gnu and a noodle company knit a sweater”. This print is one of several included in her humor filled book A Corporation is a Person Like the Emperor’s New Clothes Were Real.
Visit https://suecavanaughart.com/ to learn more about Sue and view her impressive depth of work.
Muse Art Services will continue to represent artwork by Sue.
In her own words…
“Looks like I’ve taken my last trip around the sun. I would have liked more. But what fun I’ve packed into the years I’ve had: a night meditation in the Sahara desert; awestruck by flocks of flamingos near Celestún, participating in the World Shibori Network in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
I saw the total eclipse of the sun from Russellville, Kentucky; admired the Alps up close and Georgian Bay a little too close, from a small canoe. It wasn’t all perfect. I fell off a train in Mexico City, broke my ankle near Panajachel, Guatemala; and was robbed in Maicou, Columbia. But the retelling added some spice to my stories.
Not bad for a kid who grew up on a farm two miles north of McCutchenville, Ohio. Even that experience wasn’t average. My mom’s farm vacation business taught me to appreciate those from different backgrounds.
I fell in love with Mexico on my first visit in 1970 and returned more than three dozen times. Several years ago I added a life goal of becoming fluent in Spanish, and while not bilingual, sí, ahora puedo hablar con fluidez.
After two degrees from Ohio State followed by 30 years working there, I was ready for a break and retired June 30, 2000. Then I surprised myself and others by becoming an artist for the next 22 years. Starting with art quilts, I learned to dye and pattern cloth, morphed into doing large installations, tried my hand at painting, drawing cartoons, and relief printing.
In 2012 I was able to spend almost 3 months in Dresden, Germany, on an artist residency sponsored by the Greater Columbus Arts Council. Then came an Individual Artist Award from GCAC and another from the Ohio Arts Council. I’m thrilled to have pieces in the permanent collections of the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska, and the Columbus Museum of Art. Muse Gallery has shown my art since 2009 and will continue to do so.
I’ve been blessed with many, many friends, from near and far. Thanks to all of you for enriching my life in so many ways!”
Born Susan A. Cavanaugh September 6, 1948, Cavanaugh died of pancreatic cancer on March 19, 2022. A proud member of Mohawk High School’s (Sycamore, Ohio) Class of 1966, she received her B.S. (1969) and M.A. (1974) from The Ohio State University. She is predeceased by her parents, Stanley Ward Cavanaugh and Ruby Williams Cavanaugh Koerper, and survived by brothers Scott W. Cavanaugh (Linda), Carl Junction, MO, and Stephen W. Cavanaugh (Sharon), Noblesville, IN. She was lucky to have a very close relationship with her much loved niece, Stephanie Cavanaugh (Manny), Santa Fe, NM, y su querido sobrino adoptado, Emilio Zamarippa (Joni), Burbank, CA. Memorial gifts are certainly not necessary, Sue preferring that you raise a glass and enjoy some fun memory. But if you’re still so inclined, please consider the James Cancer Hospital or the Sue Cavanaugh Fund at The Columbus Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST.