Oil and Watercolor Paintings

Initially Susan began with oil painting, but after her switch to watercolor painting her career as a professional artist really began. Mostly self-taught, she absorbed information about watercolor from any and every source and combined what she learned with her own innate abilities. Without the constraints imposed by formal training she developed her own skill and techniques, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved by watercolor. Her intent has always been to retain the delicacy of watercolors, but she also builds up multiple layers of fine washes to provide richness and depth when appropriate. An American publisher (North Light Books of Cincinnati) recognised her expertise and Susan’s book ‘Glorious Garden Flowers in Watercolor’ was the result. It is a bestseller of its type worldwide and has since been translated into Chinese. She is also in demand as a tutor, teaching art instruction watercolor workshops in New Zealand, Maine and Oregon and leading art tours to Europe.

Five years ago Susan returned to painting in oils. Again she was driven to find out everything she could about the oil painting in order to develop a style to suit the subjects that inspire her.

Gallery of Paintings

Along with flower paintings – especially paintings of roses, and paintings of old characterful windows and doors - figurative paintings have also captured her imagination. Susan loves to intrigue the viewer of her work with her richly toned still life paintings, that despite no person being visible in some pieces, you will feel the objects speak of the owner and their character.  No matter what her subject matter – Susan’s paintings always have a narrative and a reason for them to be painted. She is proficient in both mediums and switches between watercolor and oil, enjoying both the challenges and rewards that each presents.

Susan’s world-wide recognition has meant her paintings feature in numerous international collections and prestigious books and magazines. Her exhibitions are attended by patrons from many countries as well as from throughout New Zealand. Demand for her work outweighs her output but for Susan, it is the excitement of discovering a new subject - the portrayal of her message as if ‘a narrative in paint’ - that she feels are her call in life. For this gift she feels eternally grateful.