About the Artist
Born in 1981, Ezra Suko was raised in the Pacific Northwest. He began painting at age 14 when he asked his father (a former painter himself) for his old painting supplies. It was then that he discovered the joy of re-creating the world through paint. As he began painting, he observed nature and experimented in order to improve himself as an artist. In 2001 award-winning artist Jerry Yarnell began mentoring Ezra, instructing him in the principles of composition and giving him helpful practical advice as a beginning artist.
For years Ezra’s preferred medium was acrylics, but in 2006 he discovered the marriage of brush strokes and softness of edges that can only be achieved with oils. The inspiration for his paintings comes from those glimpses of beauty that spark his imagination and which can be seen in the world that surrounds our daily lives. Ezra regularly makes pencil and oil sketches from nature, which he then uses in the creation of his studio paintings. His subjects range from the dramatic to the commonplace.
In March of 2008 Ezra enlisted in the Army and served two deployments in Iraq. The idea of joining the military came after he lost his brother-in-law and soldier Gabe DeRoo in Iraq. Gabe’s relationship to Ezra was more than just a brother-in-law, he was an inspirational role model. Ezra served from March of 2008 to October of 2011 with the 3d U.S. Cavalry from Ft Hood, TX.
Now, with new life experience to draw from, Ezra has traded his Army rifle back in for his paintbrush and is prepared to create new and inspiring canvases with the aim of celebrating the good, true and beautiful things of life.
Ezra’s work has been accepted into both regional and national exhibitions, including the famed Arts for the Parks competition, Contemporary Masters and PaintAmerica. He has received various awards and was selected as an “Artist to Watch” by Southwest Art Magazine. His work is represented by, Waterhouse Gallery in Santa Barbara, CA and Howard/Mandville Gallery in Woodinville, WA. He also accepts commissioned works for individual collectors. Ezra currently resides in Granbury, TX with his beautiful wife, Heather and their 4 children Noah, Bella, Luke and Lily born in June 2022.
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Awards & Honors
- Honorable Mention - Higbee 6x6 Online Show - 2022
- Southwest Art Magazine Honorable Mention - Contemporary Masters IV – 2014
- Oil Painters of America Honorable Mention – Online Showcase – 2013
- Museums of the Arroyo Invitational Paint-Out – Pasadena Museum of History – 2012
- American Impressionist Society Member – 2012
- Oil Painters of America Associate Member – 2012
- PaintAmerica Signature Society Member - 2008
- Sallie K. Smith Juror’s Award – PaintAmerica Top 100 – 2007
- Honorable Mention - Western Washington Fair Fine Art Show – 2003, 2006
- Peoples Choice Award - Western Washington Fair Fine Art Show – 2004
- Olympia Mayor’s Award - South Sound 4 Art League Exhibition – 2006
Exhibitions
- Young Masters - Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA – 2016
- Artists of Distinction – Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History – 2013, 2014 & 2015
- Contemporary Masters, Artistic Eden III & IV - Pasadena Museum of History – 2012 & 2014
- Wanderlust - Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA – 2017
- 2 Person Show - Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA – 2016
- Art Matters Encore – The Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens – 2012
- Waterhouse Gallery 30th Anniversary Exhibition - Santa Barbara, CA – 2014
- 6″ Squared – Randy Higbee Galley, Costa Mesa, CA – 2014, 2017
- Small Works Show - Howard/Mandville Gallery, Kirkland, WA – 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- Small Gems - Waterhouse Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA – 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017
- PaintAmerica Top 100 - PaintAmerica Association - 2007
- Paint the Parks Top 100 - Paint America Association - 2007
- Arts for the Parks Mini 100 - Jackson, WY – 2006
- Arts for the Parks Top 200 - Jackson, WY – 2006
- Peninsula Art League Open Juried Art Exhibition - Gig Harbor, WA – 2006, 2007
Artist's Statement
“I believe art is a deep form of communication. I believe art should be able to communicate to the common man without explanation. I believe art is about life, and most notably about the good, true and beautiful things in life. My art is inspired by my contact with the world around me. I regularly make pencil and oil sketches from nature, which I then use in the creation of my studio paintings.”