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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- In art circles, Sushe Felix has made quite an impact with her brightly colored and thought-provoking work.

"It verges on abstraction," Felix said. "I like to do abstract stylish pieces that are about nature."

Perhaps that started when Felix was a little girl, growing up in Colorado Springs.

"I've done a lot of red rock forms that probably refer to Garden of the Gods," she said. "I find Colorado landscapes to have a nice geometric flair."

Now, those abstract landscapes hang on gallery walls all over including at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (CSFAC) -- a sign that she has really come full circle.

"I started going to Bemis when I was five," she said. "I know that I started telling people I was going to be an artist in grade school."

Since its beginning in 1919, the Bemis School of Art, now at CSFAC, has offered courses for students just like Sushe, from 2-year-olds to novice artists to retirees.

"I think it helps kids to identify themselves," Felix said. "To gain self confidence and express themselves in a different way."

And with art programs being cut in schools across the country, Bemis offers kids an important outlet for their creativity.

"With studies they've done on art. It's too important, along with athletics and things like that, art is something that should be seriously considered."

Summer art sessions begin June 8. It's a chance for kids to create like Felix.

"I made hundreds of little animals," she said. "I still have them in boxes."

Some advice for those aspiring artists?

"It has to be a joyous desire, and if it is, you can't do any better than that."

For more information, call 719.475.2444 or email bemis@csfineartscenter.org. 

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