Susan Dobay

BOOKS

IMPRESSIONS OF AN ARTIST: SUSAN DOBAY

DOCUMENTARY VIDEO DESIGNED AND DIRECTED BY STEPHANIE MEYER  1996 INTERVIEW Video Festival Winner Arts Programing  

  2019 POETS CAFÉ INTERVIEW 
Interview by Lois Jones

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VIDEOS INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEW IN BUDAPEST

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Waking Universe: Oneness Via ArtisticGenius

Intervew by Lance Mu​ngia

Mapping the Artist:Susan Dobay ColoradoBoule​vard.net
Susan Dobay - in front of one of her paintings 

What are the interior qualities of your artistic life, what makes you an artist?

Given talent alone does not make an artist, the artist ​​has to have discipline to work hard and find a way to express him-/herself no matter of circumstances.

Responses to my​ books:

REVIEWS AND COMMENTS

Annabella Gecse
"For me,
what you wrote means so much. No one has ever let me into their artistic world the way this book has. I also looked you up on YouTube, and even now one can still see in you that little girl who sang and danced for people during the bombings. :) Debrecen, China, and Budapest — you reveal more about them than all the information ever could."
Deme Edina, Múzeumpedagógia, főosztályvezető Szepmuveszeti Muzeum – Hungarian National Gallery. 
"It was with great pleasure that I explored your book.  I always find it extremely interesting when a visual artist expresses him or herself verbally. It is preciscely why,  because of the personal resonance of  the book, I don’t want to, and it is not possible to, critique the content or the images. I simply  enjoyed the way the personal message and visual artistry unfolded page by page. ’’ Congratulations!
Adrienne Darvay Nagy, theatre expert, writer, historian. 
’’I like your book very much : It is versitale, honest, multicolored . It captured me with its magical within and without beauty, the natural and at the same time poetical context. I received true answers to those questions that you are in
engaged. Furthermore
your
sad and happy passages of life in conection with the already known creations got into a new dimension. Through your book I got to know
the life of a true artist and a true human being.’’
Fereidun Shokatfard, visual artist, poet. 
’’Your book is fascinating. I feel you are speaking for all creative people, for all artists, specially those who wished someone would express how they felt expressing themselves ’’
Rachel Walker, song writer and singer 
“I have spent the day reading your beautiful BOOK!!  I loved every minute of it! All the color that feeds my soul and the brilliant, genius mind that brings out the questions that life asks us.. that some will never discover. Real, and authentic and “in your place” where an artist fulfills a purpose to move goodness into others... You have blessed my life, my journey...paths cross like painting lines from the Master’s hand.”
Penelope Torribio, author
“ This book is not strictly autobiographical, although Dobay shares some of the major events that have influenced her life and art. But she manages to make the personal-universal, such as her growing up in war-torn Hungary during WWII, which lead readers to think about how today’s young children are managing to grow up in the middle of war. The events Dobay shares add interest and depth as she searches for the meaning of art and shares the thoughts of the intellectuals who have influenced her. Susan Dobays book is enhanced by her paintings and compositional art, which like herself, has many Layers.
Tess Chrisler, writer, journalist
 “Congratulations, Susan. This book  will give artists the incentive to honor their work. “ 
Georgette McMorris, Ph.D
“I am awe of what you have been able to become: artist par excellence, speaker and mentor. You are truly an inspiration to the young people.”
Robert Horvath, photographer
‘’I am so happy that your book has been published. Whoever is fortunate enough to receive a copy can learn much from it.” 
Joan Stern, poet 
‘’ Thank you for sharing your journey and your insights about being an artist. Your book encourages those of us who try to share their creative impulse and all   who appreciate art. Best wishes in inspiring young artists in particular, who need all the support they can get for exploring and expressing themselves in a variety of media.”
Mira N. Mataric poet, Ph.D 
“ Your accomplishment is awesome and therefore can be educational in many different ways to different  people.”
Pauli Dutton, poet, frm. Director of Altadena Public library
’’ This gorgeous collection of art, memories, and sage words both delights and inspires. We might all wish to be more like Susan who has persistently followed her own path of passion, intuition, and ideals.   Here is a book, an art, and a life, we can all admire.” 
Michelle Mills, journalist 
’’I have your book and it’s wonderful ’’  
Kath Abela Wilson, poet, artist  creator and leader of Poets on Site
“It is a great gift to all of us that you have worked to create your magnificent artwork and to express the mystery of passionate and natural creativity in this book. You have worked strongly with a sensitive heart to the beauty and difficulties of life with the positive power of the artist to express and even transform the world. Part of your process has been to embrace our community of Poets on Site as "kindred spirits" and to nourish their artistic strength by hosting them in your home and in this book. The Poets on Site  have been attracted by the unique colorful world you have created artistically in your "incessant search" for meaning.  You have expanded and included all of us who know you in person and all who  this book like a door into understanding  themselves and art itself. By making your book you have gone one step further, in giving a key to the door of an artistic life. It is a miniature of the large world you have created. And our poems are honored as part of that world. An artist works alone but in concert with all the artistic strength and questioning of human history. You open your door to this by creating art and sharing it in this special way. “ 
Just Kibbe, visual artist, poet
“ Susan, it’s such a treat to read through your book. I think it’s a wonderful representation of who you are. I know I have     only known you a short while during your  long, creative life, but the combination of your art, your philosophical thoughts on life’s myriad joys and struggles, and the poems of those who had   the privilege of encountering you and your paintings shows an entire crop of bountiful relationships from which more creative lives and more creative art will   come. I especially enjoy reading and watching how different poets respond to your art in different ways, which are also different from my own. It’s a great way to keep learning about life, art, and the world.   Thank you for sharing your book, your gallery, and your life with me!                                       
Laszlo J. Cser, professor emeritus, Los Angeles City College and
Maria E. Cser, music educator, performer
 We are deeply touched by your lifelong dedication to the exploration of the human condition through your art. Spiritual, musical  and historical insights alternate with whimsical images that captivate the viewer. Talent and imagination and insight created a gift to us all. Thank you Ms. Dobay”  
Dr. Gyorgyi Kovacs
“After reading your book I came to the conclusion that you are not only a gifted painter, but a great author as well. Your resume is awesome. You are a wonderful source of pleasure for us whether you depict human suffering or a series of classical music inspired pictures or your lovely daughter and  influence others to go down the same path. You are constantly seeking new ideas and reinventing yourself. You are equally at home in all genre. You are blessed with tremendous talent and please, continue to share it with the rest of the world and set an example for the younger generation.”
Agnes Kiraly
My dearest Susan  “I thank you with all my heart for letting me read your book. I encountered ideas which inspired further contemplation. You are most certainly an opinion-maker among artists, art supporters, and art lovers, in the community of serious and fair-minded people. Many thanks to you for prodding us, your readers, to consider the things you wrote in your book. We should not be merely observers of event happening around us but dare to: think, form independent opinions, not to accept clichéd answers.
     
“The monumental, yet sensually delicate forms give the work that special levity, in the reflection of which the connection to the indicated tradition is simultaneously emphasized, but at the same time the individual signatures are also fully effective.” 
                                          András Bohár, art historian 

“Her Gate series is extremely interesting. In her work, symbols evoking the historical and personal past, the conscious and the subconscious, come to life together. Each of Zsuzsa Dobay’s paintings is full of light and brilliance.” 
              Barbara Johnson, Director of Joslyn Fine Arts 

“We are introduced to a Hungarian-American artist in whose art Hungarian and pan-European, primarily Mediterranean and American art can be viewed in an interesting way as a unity.” 
                                          Gábor Pogány, art historian 

“She projects her thoughts with new, modern, absolutely contemporary formal means.” 
                                                Lilla Szabó, art historian 

“Zsuzsa Dobay painted both our worlds on the thin thread of my vision. I was the seed, and you grew a flower from it. I am moved to thank you for the beauty you dreamed of above me.” 
                                           György Faludy, poet, writer  

“Her works provide a timeless, classic experience.”                                                                               KFAC radio 

“I find her images imaginative.” 
                                                 Miklós Rózsa, composer 

“I am struck by her enormous courage in both her choice of subject matter and her expression. You cannot just ignore the message in her art, because there is something provocatively surprising in them and a profound, disconcerting honesty added to all this.” 
                                                         Ági Bánfalvy, actor 

“Dobay’s love, feelings, and philosophy burst onto the canvas: Dobay’s works had to be born.” 
                                               Ákos Thiery, art historian 

“I have never felt the work of a great artist as close as yours. You express my most intimate thoughts and feelings in visual form. Seeing your pictures fills me with positive energy, which encourages me to create again in my own field.” 
                                                                     Ágnes Király
  Acknowledgements:

Susan Dobay - In Recognition of:
50 Faboulos Women 2013
on behalf of Californi State Senate 

Certificate of Appreciation
City of Monrovia