Meet Suzanne Hughes | Abstract artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Suzanne Hughes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Suzanne, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I love solitude and quiet, wide open spaces – especially on a windy beach with the sound of the ocean. It’s just me and the waves, and that’s when I feel most inspired. There’s a quote by Rumi that says, “the quieter you become, the more you are able to hear,” and it really clicks with me.

When I paint, I need time by myself without any interruptions. It’s like I’m having a conversation with my own thoughts. The canvas is my special space, and painting lets me express what’s going on inside my head. So, I guess you could say I need quiet time to hear my own thoughts and let my creativity flow onto the canvas.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work is mostly abstract landscape or seascape in style, with a muted palette and a calm ethereal feel. It is multilayered often starting off with vibrant colors but with every layer the piece becomes more neutral. The bright underpainting gives the neutral final layers a depth. When I first started painting I could not understand why my work always ended up being “grey”. It was only when I returned to the UK (where I was born) for my dads funeral during covid that I realized much of what I paint comes from homesickness and my longing for those misty foggy solitary walks. I had to isolate for 10 days and decided to drive to my favorite pace in England – the south coast of Devon. As I was driving down towards the coast through mist and rain I realized that it was like driving into one of my paintings! It really resonate with me being able to tie together the emotional aspect with the intuitive painting part and from that I have really developed my whole “brand”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a difficult question for me a I am a real homebody. When I have visitors there is nothing I enjoy more than spending time together, good conversations, food and the occasional cocktail! when we venture out it is often to watch the sunrise on the beach, taking my dog, Ted, along too for a walk and then breakfast somewhere – I love The Alchemist and Mayapapaya on the river. We will usually have a walk along Las Olas, sitting outside one of the many restaurants or bars to watch the people go by. If we are lucky we get to do a boat trip with friends. I love being on the water and think that is when you see the true beauty of where we live.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I started painting during covid after a friend encouraged me to try. She took me to Michaels and I bought 5 tubes of paint, a few brushes and some canvas. Once I started experimenting I was hooked. It was a time when online resources were really expanding and I was fortunately enough to find a weekly online group class run by local artist Sally Cooper (https://sallycooperart.com). Sally is so generous with her time and in sharing her knowledge. I learnt much about different techniques and materials and she encouraged me to enter competitions. I won Artist Network annual competition for emerging artists with a piece I entered in the abstract/experimental category. I am so fortunate to have been supported big time by my family and friends. Their support and genuine enthusiasm for my work has given me the confidence to believe in my self.

Website: https://www.suzannehughesart.com

Instagram: @suzannehughesart

Other: email address: suzanne@suzannehughesart.com