Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Suzanne Matthews. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Suzanne, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
Though we had little money when I was very young, my parents viewed friendships and hospitality as a high priority, they taught us how to be happy and content whatever circumstances we had. They showed us how to save for something of value such as travel. Plus they always let me have coloring books and crayons. I used to listen to my parents conversations with other adults and color away. Here I learned the value of wisdom learned through years of life and the fact that friends can be older or younger than us. They instilled in us a curiosity of the world around us. Dad taught me the difference in temperatures through the crunch of snow or wetness of it. Mom taught me to sew and create things from nearly nothing. Not to spend money on junk or something that wouldn’t last. Most of all they taught us love and kindess, respect for others.
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?
I am a family girl, raised by parents of Old World Values and Ideas. Such as having pride in the work you do. Mom used to say:” If your going to do something, do it right”.
At the time I was growing up my parents had many older friends with few children. I didn’t mind, I loved listening to them chat and always had my coloring book and crayons with me. The colorful crayons has led to me loving vibrant color in most of my work. There are a few all neutrals, but very few pastels.
Mom and dad valued travel. We went to Europe and even lived in the Bahamas Islands for a short time while we did volunteer work. I feel that time period led me to a great love of the sea and bodies of water.
Dad was an adventurous soul. He jumped out of windows with and umbrella to try to flyas a kid. Yet latter he got his pilots liscence and we flew around the country with friends. When he was 70, he learned to fly a helicopter. Very different from fixed wing flying. Hence he inspired me in my 60s to change painting mediums. A watercolorist since my teen years, I learned to paint with acrylic and oils. This too being a much different way to paint.
Both parents loved the earth and farmed. Mom instilled in me a love of flowers. We gardened together. It was an anual even t to go to the greenhouses in early spring to see what we would add to the garden this year. Now I adore painting botanicals, trees, the outside world in a wildish sort of way. Im not prone to paint in a realistic style, although I can. One day I plan to paint in the manner of Sargent who beautifully incorporatesd both styles in one piece of art.
After our 4 children grew up, hubby and I moved south to Florida. I was so lost by plant blindess here. I didnt know anything unless we had grown it in the house.. I would ask friends. “Oh my the tree is amazing, what is it???” Not many knew . I found it very frustrating not to know the vegitation around me. So Im learning and I have a plan to help people with plant blindness.
If someone sees a flower, the may say that flower is pretty, yet not know what it is and quickly pass on.
My style of painting catches the eyes attention. It could be called figureative impressionist work. It draws people in. I typically name my art something to do with the plant itself. In a round about way they learn what plants are. Some art even has words included on the face in a modern style.
My Journey in art has been a long one, only recently have I decided to share it with the world. I wanted to have as much time with my children as they grew.
My art has vibrant colors, is very textural, and truly wild botanitcal. I’ve not seen anyones work quite like mine. When I swithed mediums, I struggeld to find my unique voice in art. I am proud of the fact that I believe I’ve reached part of that goal and will continue to refine it. I hear many comment, ” I simply jumps off the wall”. It gets attention. Also I hear “it reminds me of…. It feels like I could touch the real thing.”
While I still have a love of watercolor, My newist oils have a sense of the watercolor feel to them. This is very exciting to me.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I am a joyful person at heart, smiling often. Like everyone else we have trials, but the joy is still there when I paint. I love sharing that joy with people. I love it when they take one of my art babies home and hang it for the joy for themselves and guests. I want everyone to find their dimples and smiles. Smiles are contagious. Share the JOY!!!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I have found that many people like realism. So looking at my art, some may not know what to say and are silent. I get a lot of people telling me what to paint. Yet I want to draw people in to learn. To grab their attenion and start noticing things around them. I really dont want to do what a photo can do better. This has taken some time to get appreciation for what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: SuzanneMatthewsArt.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/SuzanneMatthewsArt/
- Facebook: Suzanne Matthews
- Youtube: SuzanneMatthewsArt