Susan Sullivan's debut collection with The Studio Collective is the loveliest mix of florals and abstracts in the sweetest palette imaginable. We had the pleasure of talking with her about life as an artist, her artistic journey and what inspires her in this week's Artist Q&A. Don't forget to check out her newest collection of stunning original pieces linked below!
What is your earliest memory of being creative?
I can’t think of a specific catalyst for creativity. My parents put me in art classes and camps throughout childhood. I do, however, distinctly remember sketching on a flight in late elementary school and later completing one of my favorite floral drawings that still hangs in my parents’ house.
If my mom were to answer this question, she would say I started painting when I was three, decorating our living room walls with nail polish ;)
Did you always want to be an artist?
I always thought becoming an artist would be an absolute dream but I chose a more “practical” career path in healthcare. I worked as a dietitian for seven years before making a u-turn. I have all the respect and admiration for our healthcare workers but feel so much happier removed from that world. I didn’t realize how much I needed to create.
How do you want people to feel when they look at your art?
I want people to feel like they’re standing in front of a sunny window on a cool day, warm and joyful. Recently, a buyer told me that the abstract piece she purchased provided her with peace during a time of grief. I will hold that with me always.
What inspires you?
I love fashion and interior design, playful textiles and the South Carolina landscape. I’m lucky to live two hours from Asheville, NC and Charleston, SC, we have the best of both worlds here!
Coffee or tea?
Coffee. And I drink entirely too much. It’s something that I’m working on. Lol, too much and my brushstrokes look a little crazy.
