We recently connected with Sue Ann Hum and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sue Ann, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

Sooner or later?; no. My creative career – with its perfect “for now” timing – has always been a part of me. Every experience I’ve had has shaped my path, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Somewhere between manifestation, synchronicity, hard work, and an unusual mix of curiosity and self-belief, I’ve always found joy — and a bit of success — doing what I love.

As a child, I doodled eyes, choreographed my jacks and paper dolls to imaginary music, drew and built things — I dreamed and imagined constantly. I had no idea that not everyone could; but my Momma saw it and she never let me forget.
When I was sixteen, one of her friends was obsessed with Tara, the mansion from Gone with the Wind, and wished she could have a picture of it. I told her she should just paint it on her wall. I was surprised when she laughed and said she could never do that — and my mom simply replied, “Sue Ann can.” So I did.

Momma transitioned fifteen years ago, but her favorite words speak to me every day: “There’s nothing you can’t do.” That’s the foundation of my self-confidence and my creative journey. I trust the process, say yes to possibilities, challenge myself with new studies, and create from a place of curiosity and determination.

Sue Ann, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My current creative path is painting, and I’m best known for my acclaimed “SHE SAID” series — female portraits in fine art water media which are paired with inspiring, encouraging, sarcastic, and/or delightfully sweary phrases. These evocative women “say what all women are thinking.” From endearing reminders and bold sarcasm to unapologetic expletives, they don’t just speak — they say it loud and proud, celebrating a decidedly female, human experience.

But I’ve gotten ahead of myself

Raised in Indiana and coming of age in New York City in the early ’70s, my gypsy soul has called more than 30 addresses “home” over the last 50 years — from Florida to Colorado, and now New Hampshire. Reinvention has been my superpower. (Those who love me might call it “jumping in with both feet without regard for a logical, viable plan.”)

My creative journey has said yes to many paths — including radio, newspaper, theatre, television, commercials, theme park entertainment, interior decorative painting, birthing a youth theatre biz, being a Mom & Grandma, hosting international art trips, community volunteer, activist, and teaching various art media. There were also more traditional jobs like selling shoes, clerking in accounts payable/receivables, managing operations, and raising big cats. (Not a typo) Each career, in wonderful serendipity, built the foundation for the next, giving me a rich blend of creative and entrepreneurial skills.

I retired from benefits and paychecks in April 2013 to dedicate myself fully to art. With an indulgent fiancé, abundant optimism and self-confidence. I set out to conquer another goal – to paint again in Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France.

A couple of years earlier, I’d accidentally been given permission to paint inside Monet’s Gardens. When I learned artists could work before and after hours, I dreamed up a “wild-ass idea”: to host artist trips there. It seemed to me to be the perfect way to not only share that magical experience with other artists — but to ensure I could return to Giverny every year. After dropping that full-time job (and with only six months of research) I launched My Art Trip and hosted my first Monet Immersion artist retreat to France in June 2014. My groups were one of only three businesses regularly given permission to paint in the Gardens,. When repeat clients asked, “Where else are we going?” I created a second experience, Van Gogh Immersion, following Vincent’s life across France. Over six years, I hosted about 100 artists before the 2020 pandemic abruptly halted the business.

Being a huge empath, I felt the weight of that time deeply—worrying for family, friends, and the world at large. My earlier work painting beautiful, storytelling landscapes and interiors felt irrelevant for the moment. I began experimenting in various media and found my muse by creating expressive portraits of women.

One day, a little painting of artist Suzanne Valadon seemed to want to “say” something. Madonna provided the words:
“I’m tough, I’m ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.”

She was followed by another mouthy woman, and another, and… people responded quite well to them. Cool – ! – my girls were saying things others related to. And just like that, the SHE SAID series was born. Five years later, there are now over 100 designs in the series. The artwork itself has received adjudicated acclaim and the series has expanded into a growing line of merchandise—including calendars, note cards, themed gift boxes, photo tiles, and stickers—with clients across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. An ardent ally, I created a line of PRIDE note cards and calendars in 2024. And oh, the rewards have been great! People viewing my work often burst out in laughter; occasionally someone wipes away a tear. What more could an artist want than to have created artwork that touches people at those levels?
Following decades of wide-ranging creative work, I’m now that old hippie chick living in southwest New Hampshire, painting people, flowers, animals, and more — and yes, best known for creating the popular SHE SAID series. Having celebrated my 74th journey ’round the sun, I’m still filled with energy and ideas. A perpetual student, I work in oils, watercolors, acrylics, torn papers, and mixed media. For the past 18 months, I’ve been studying and exploring the use of 23.5k gold in my art.
My work is represented in galleries in Brattleboro, VT; Salida, CO; and Peterborough, NH — the latter of which I co-founded this year. In 2025, I also introduced three new SHE SAID merchandise lines with a flurry of social media videos; was featured nationally to represent the state of New Hampshire in the National Women’s Caucus for Art; completed commissioned artwork for public art and regional theatre; and participated in three invited exhibits.
Check with me in a couple of years to see what’s new.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I understand it may seem I’ve always cast caution to the wind and just done whatever I liked – living life by the seat of my pants and being confident that more money would come from somewhere. Well, while that’s true enough – I do have a practical side. A therapist once told me I was the most balanced right brain / left brain person she’d ever met. I have often been reduced to stealing bits of time for creative gigs to satisfy that longing, while working jobs I really needed to hold on to, to support myself or my family.

But you know, life is an opportunity. Every choice we make holds unknown challenges and the likelihood of amazing gifts. I’ve always believed that “what you tell yourself and believe to be true WIILL come true for you.” Saying yes to ideas; exploring that feeling in your gut; being brave enough to close a door, turn a page, sing a new song – – those are the times when you allow magic to touch your life. I’m giving this life all I’ve got!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Bringing joy to others has been a great reward. Getting laughter from an audience when an unexpected acting bit ‘worked;’ watching families enjoy a show I’d directed; having a student or someone who reported to me “thank me” for something I said or did; watching my sons on stage; seeing girlfriends falling over laughing together when reading my cards; having an artist throw their arms around me on Monet’s bridge saying “you have no idea what this means to me,” having my husband tell me how proud he is of the work I’ve done; coaching my theatre kid granddaughter and then getting her call saying she got the part; a new acquaintance saying how deeply my work touched her and that mine was the best painting in the exhibit.
At my age, I’ve learned to pay attention and stay out of my own way. I love how my brain works… and it works best when I detach and just marvel at the wonderfully wacky way it travels. I wonder what’s next?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sueannhum.com
• Instagram: Art_sueannhum
• Facebook: Sue Ann Hum ; Sue Ann hum, Artist; My Art Trip
• Linkedin: nope
• Twitter: nah

Image Credits

Lipofskyphoto.com