Susan Lenz
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Susan Lenz is a fiber and mixed-media artist renowned for her ability to transform found objects into meticulously composed works of art. From a distance, her pieces captivate with striking cohesion and visual balance. Up close, they reveal intricate layers of unexpected materials, stitched textures, and repurposed elements chosen with precision to create an astonishing interplay of form and meaning.
The daughter of German immigrants, Susan has built a life devoted to creativity, craftsmanship, and artistic exploration.
Working from her studio in a restored church within the historic Cateechee mill village near Central, South Carolina, Susan employs both hand and machine stitching, alongside book arts and three-dimensional assemblage. Her obsession with repurposing found photographs reflects her fascination with forgotten narratives and the passage of time.
Her work has been featured in national publications, juried exhibitions, and esteemed fine craft shows, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Smithsonian Craft Shows. She has appeared on art quilting television programs and South Carolina ETV's Palmetto Scene. Her pieces are included in the permanent collections of the Textile Museum and the Department of the Interior Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as the McKissick Museum in South Carolina.
by Susan Lenz
16" x 16" framed
Found objects hand stitched to a section of an antique applique quilt.
Objects include: a bright yellow child's 78 Golden Record from 1950; vintage shears; drawer handles; copper colored can tabs; yellow casino chips; red and green plastic lids; green and blue rabies pet tags; pink fabric yoyos; blue wire spirals; heavy paper mustaches coated with acrylic gel; assorted buttons and beads.
by Susan Lenz
29 3/4" x 29 3/4" framed
Found objects hand-stitched to quilted background made from donated antique blocks.
Objects include: a set of vintage doll plates; a votive candle base supported by purple toddler snack tops; antique poker chips; red-handled children's scissors; blue poker chips; vintage slides; purple Mardi Gras doubloons; wire connector caps; pruning snips; Monopoly hotels; copper U-clamps; plastic bottle caps; bright pink can pull tabs; purple figures on horseback; blue lids with dark pink, fabric yoyos; assorted buttons and beads.
by Susan Lenz
31 1/2"W x 31 1/2"H x 2”D framed
Found objects hand-stitched to the section of a vintage quilt.
Objects include: A red rooster trivet; red plastic forks; small, orange-red checkers on large metal washers; ViewMaster reels; discs for decorative patterns on a vintage sewing machine; drawer handles; four red aluminum "Smokey the Bear" ashtrays; Kodachrome slides; toddler snack lids; Grizzly chewing tobacco lids (upside down); keys; vintage pilot pins; white plastic lids; heart-shaped rabies pet tags; assorted buttons and beads.
by Susan Lenz
30 1/4" x 30 1/4" framed
Found objects hand-stitched to a section of a vintage quilt.
Objects include: A yellow children's 45 record on which the face for a clock and a red button is stitched; plastic four-leaf clover lucky coins; miniature dominoes; blue plastic scissors for cutting decorative edges; ViewMaster reels; clamping scissors; cocktail forks; gold beverage can tabs; green rabies pet tags; brioche molds; red and green plastic lids; four Andy Warhol dishes; assorted buttons and beads.
by Susan Lenz
31 1/2" x 31 1/2" framed
Found objects hand-stitched to a collection of antique quilt blocks.
Objects include: A glass floral frog with ten round, bright orange buttons; eight brown, oar-shaped drink swizzlers; laminated Air Mail stamps; antique cardboard yogurt lids; peach-colored plastic lids; dominoes; copper soda can pulls; white fur coat closure frogs; beer caps; keys; hinges; snowflake shaped Christmas lights; miniature toy airplanes; decorative orange wires for scrapbooking; electric meter tags; assorted buttons and beads.