We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Suzanne Reed Fine a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Suzanne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

I have been fortunate to have a number of amazing bosses throughout my career. When I was starting out as a graphic designer in Denver, my supervisor, Jeanne was the go to person for the entire company. She kept the business running smoothly, efficiently and made it look effortless. Her first objective in being a strong leader was taking an interest in people. She respected everyone from clients to her workers and knew that the success of the business was dependent on every person. She addressed everyone by name, asking about their family and lives and she would listen. She celebrated their happy moments and offered comfort in bad times. No doubt her organization and knowledge of her job were also key factors in her success, but her interpersonal skills made her someone who you wanted to work with, and do your best to be a part of that team. It is something that I think about often and try to do every day.

Suzanne, 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?

Having been a fourth generation artist, I was raised in a creative atmosphere of painters, sculptors and builders. It never occurred to me that I would do anything else. My family history goes back many generations to the small town in Southern Colorado, that I called home for 20 years. Weekends, after school and summer days were spent outside in the expansive land of sky, mountains, and trees. The dry mountain air provided the vivid color palette that I use today. Now, living in the city in the South, the humidity softens those colors, and combining the two find a home in my paintings. They are rooted in memories and experiences of nature, balancing between representation and abstraction.

Initially, I got a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Advertising from Adams State University in Colorado, then to Atlanta to the Portfolio Center to study Graphic Design. I was as a graphic designer and freelance illustrator for a number of years working in medical illustration, logos and marketing material. Painting had never interested me, but my dad sensed my wanting to do something different, and had given me some of his paint materials to try. To say it was a disaster at first is an understatement, but I felt a freedom and joy in creating that I hadn’t felt before. My colors were all wrong, the marks were not thoughtfully made, basically I had no control of what I was doing. It took workshops, reading lots of books, and mostly painting hours to find my way. Thirty years later, I am a Signature member of the American Watercolor Society which is a huge honor for Watermedia artists. I am exhibiting and selling my work in galleries and shows, and I love what I do. I still consider myself a student of painting, as I learn more every time I come to my easel. The difference is that now, I understand the paint and how to handle the materials, but I am learning more about myself and what I am wanting to say as a painter. That is what keeps me coming back to it every day.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative in your experience?

When someone feels a connection to a piece that I have done, whether it is a drawing or a painting, is a tremendous feeling. If the painting speaks to them in some way that makes them want to spend time looking deeper into the piece, contemplating it further makes me feel like I have accomplished what I intended.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Having spent the last two years in lockdown mode has shown us we need to be more appreciative of time. It was something we needed and didn’t know we needed as society. It has caused us to slow down more and rethink how we are spending our time with ourself and with others. Going forward, I would like to see us continue to make that time to spend it outdoors, and read, see great art, see shows, support creatives, get to know them. Many times there are free or small fee tickets to plays, openings, or concerts. Support local businesses, museums, galleries, tell your friends, make weekend trips to local spots or neighboring towns and check out their communities.

Contact Info:

• Website: suzannereedfine.com
• Instagram: suzannereedfineartist
• Facebook: suzanne reed fine artist

Image Credits
Suzanne Reed Fine Photo by Sammie Saxon Studios