Suzanne Sable

(1926-2005)
Suzanne Sablé was born in Paris, France. In her twenties she enrolled at the city of Paris’ night school, Ecole Superieure de Peinture et Sculpture for a four-year term. In the company of art teachers and professional artists who came to perfect their craft, Sablé learned academic drawing, painting and sculpture. At the end of the last two consecutive years, she was granted first prize by the city of Paris for best overall work of the year. Meanwhile, during the days, she worked in a ceramic studio, and on weekends she learned to master the technique of painting on ivory under the direction of the well-recognized miniaturist Georgette Ray.
Later on, Sablé opened her own ceramic studio and became a member of the Salon des Netiers d’Art de France. Sablé also painted oil portraits, some of which she exhibited at the Salon des Artists Francais and won a first prize at the Grande Gallerie, Paris. Twice a week, however, she managed to take some time off to go to the Beaux Arts to learn perspective and anatomy.
In 1956 Sablé moved to the United States where her son and daughter were born.
In 1961 she won first prize for a sculpture at the National Festival of Religious Art in Rochester, N.Y.
In 1964 she had a one-woman show at the National Council of the Episcopal Church, New York. Along with her sculptures, she exhibited two architectural maquettes: one of a convent, the other of a church.
At the request of the Cultural Attache of the French Embassy, Sablé exhibited two sculptures at the French Pavilion of the New York World’s Fair.
In 1966, she became a single parent and moved to California with her two children. Having to work full-time during the day, her artistic activities were restricted for a while. Her jobs included freelance modelist for major toy companies such as Ideal, Remco and American Character, sculpting mostly dolls. Sable also worked as chief painter on porcelain at he Van Ruicevelt Studio in Monterey, known for their fine porcelain figurines.
In 1971 she exhibited at the Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, California.
In 1977 she exhibited at City Hall, Seaside, California.
In 1978 she became a member of the Carmel Art Association.
In 1982 the Devonian Group of Charitable Foundations commissioned Sable( for a large sculpture to be installed in the new City Hall of Calgary, Canada.
In 1984 she was chosen by the County and City of San Francisco Art Commission as one of the finalists for a sculpture to be installed in a park in San Francisco.
Sable’s latest work involved a new series of distinctively French characters inspired from her childhood memories and old family portraits.

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