Susan Nicholas Gephart developed a deep appreciation of the earth and its relationship to art when she was a young child. Her passion to explore the landscape is expressed through a unique use of color, texture, and atmosphere, capturing the emotion of a moment with spontaneity and directness.
Susan graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pennsylvania State University in 1979, and an Associate in Arts from Montgomery County Community College in 1977. Susan has been professionally exhibiting and painting award-winning pastel and oil landscapes for almost five decades. Her colorful, impressionistic studio and plein air paintings make her a sought-after instructor of all mediums, who’s teaching philosophy is to, “Connect, Inspire, Support”. Susan has been faculty for the Plein Air Convention four years, including the Pre-Convention for PACE18 Beginners Track Pastel. In 2021 and 2025, she was international faculty for PleinAir magazine’s virtual event, Pastel Live. As a pastel artist, Susan has multiple S.Nicholas Signature sets of Jack Richeson Hand-Rolled Soft Pastels.
Susan has been organizing the Hameau Artist Retreats for 29 years, is an associate member of the Pastel Society of America, associate member of Oil Painters of America, and a signature member and president of the Central Pennsylvania Pastel Society. She is also a founding member of the Farmland Preservation Artists of Central PA. Visit Susan’s Bellefonte Studio by appointment.
Susan will be returning to teach a pastel workshop at the Adam’s County Arts Council in October 2026.

View her work online: www.SNicholasArt.com