Susan Brandt – Writer & Artist
ART
Susan Brandt is an emerging artist with no formal training in art, although her father, Rolf Brandt, was an artist and teacher. Inspired by a box of Perspex which belonged to her father, she is influenced by Ben Nicholson, Fernand Léger, Naum Gabo, as well as the Bauhaus and the Picasso works, she used to see at the Chateau Grimaldi in Antibes; Hans Arp, Victor Vasarely and Paul Klee have also had a major impact.
She was brought up surrounded by art and early visual influences were her father’s surrealistic book-illustrations of the 1940s as well as his powerful later (1950s & 60s) paintings and constructions. She has been making her own pictures since the late 1980s but was only recently persuaded to sell her work, with an exhibition at the Avivson Gallery in Highgate in London, another promised at the Artree gallery near Basel, Switzerland, and one at Amberdens, South Hill Park, Hampstead.
Susan’s work centres on varying abstract drawings on paper, which she has formed into categories (Perspex, Ephemeral, Foldings, Molluscs, Sculptural, Surreal, Triangles, and Insects). She uses graphite, black ink, gold marker or pencil and white or cream pastel, with the latest ones in coloured pastels. These are on different types of coloured or textured papers. Some are delicate and simple, others of heavier form and complex. She depicts cubes or semi-transparent outlines and Perspex with various shapes, all completely hand-drawn and invented in her imagination, with circular and mollusc-like forms flowing through them to show the fluidity of life, the extraordinary geometry of minerals in natural elements, as well as imaginary insects, combining Nature’s precision with seeming chaos.
She is interested in relationships between different forms, light and shade, structure, surface, shape, and texture. Susan tries to show the movement within and around objects and ostensibly static matter. Her abstract pictures were using minimal colour, but she is using more colour now.
WRITING
Susan has recently had her Young Teen novel, "Kim's Promise" published. Although "Kim's Promise" is a novel from age eleven on it is mildly influenced by fairy tales and the wonderful eastern stories of Idries Shah, which Susan used to read to her children.
Prince Kim, aged 15, promises his dying mother to find the unknown kitchen boy who overheard a terrible family quarrel and a secret curse. He travels incognito, while his father, the king, sends soldiers to stop him. After being left for dead by bandits, Kim meets with a wise old man living on a mountain and later a kind herbalist who helps him find the kitchen boy. But once found, things are not as simple as they should be.
Meanwhile, Kim’s childhood sweetheart, Princess Sagesse is ill with the threat of a marriage to her mother’s choice of husband if Kim does not finish his task in time.
"Kim's Promise" is tale of mystery and adventure, of fear and generosity, of contamination and survival.
(See below, "Kim's Promise" reviews)
Susan has also written plays and screenplays as well as a 1992 travel memoir. She lives in London and has a daughter and a son. Previously, she spent years working as the head of a Dyslexic Unit at a sixth Form College and later running her own private practice.
KIM'S PROMISE, REVIEWS:
"Kim's Promise by Susan Brandt is such an incredible story! Prince Kim, same age as me - 15 - sets out on a dangerous journey to save his kingdom, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see what would happen next. The world-building is so vivid, and I loved how brave and determined Kim was, even when he faced huge challenges. This book is full of adventure, survival, and heart, and it really makes you think about loyalty and doing what’s right. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves exciting fantasy stories with a lot of emotion and action!" Ellie -
“I loved this book so much. I was hooked following Kim's adventures from the very first page. A brilliant novel that I highly recommend.” Emma –
"A fantastic book! I absolutely loved it!! This action-packed storyline is rammed with adventure, danger, curses, kindness, royalty, travelling, survival, determination, fear, disaster and everything you could ask for. The author captivates the readers’ attention using such vivid and evocative descriptions that readers can see everything come to life in front of their eyes. The characters are all well-developed and intriguing. This is a page turning book filled with drama and adventure which adults and children alike will love!" Kirsty -
“A beautifully written tale…. I was hooked from start to end. Overall a fantastic book that I recommend it to all readers.” Kerry -
“I love the author, the writing, the characters.” Rhianydd -
“I highly enjoyed this fast paced fantasy novel. I am looking forward to seeing what is next for the author. I’d highly recommend.” Eden -
“The writing… captures the reader and makes you believe that you are part of the story.” Nicola -
“...Full of adventures and overcoming obstacles, it's a great fantasy character led story.” Marcia -
“This was such an interesting book. It was something unique, well plotted, with fantastic word building.” Helen -
“Very gripping. I couldn't put it down.” Sue -
“Filled with adventure, it flows really well and draws you in from the first page,
… a book that older readers will get lots of enjoyment from.” Kelly -
“...Full of danger, intrigue, deceit, and mystery, which takes Kim through the dangerous, bandit-infested mountains to new towns, lavish palaces, and even jail. The pieces of the story come together seamlessly...” Gillian -
“This... took my mind to a wonderful place. ...The words literally glide. I was consumed by the author’s ... perception of the world she has created. ...This novel is a fantastic, interesting read, and it will forever stay on my shelf.” Layla -
“My promise, that this fairytale story of quest, truth, and love will gladden everyone’s heart.” Peter -
“This story will have you hooked from the beginning until the end. ... There are some great characters in this. ...I highly recommend this for young readers, or even old.” Jacqueline -
