"Suzanne's paintings are like classic a cappella music - pure, with subtle tones and inflections, seeking to put everything in harmony without distraction."

Bill Dixon
Owner, Atlanta Art Gallery
Atlanta based artist Suzanne Hughes Sullivan is emerging as an artist of note among collectors of traditional realism, with a rapidly expanding reputation on a national level for her award winning work. Suzanne defines herself as a classical realist painter influenced by the Dutch and Flemish masters of the seventeenth century. "I am a great admirer of Rembrandt and the other Baroque painters, Suzanne states. "The subtle luminosity they brought to their work serves as a primary source of my inspiration."

Suzanne's paintings are characterized by low-key tonality harmonizing with strategic high notes of dramatic color. "My work definitely has a strong element of 'chiaroscuro', meaning dramatic contrasts between light and dark areas in a painting. I would also describe my pieces as having a decidedly 'old world' feel as opposed to a contemporary realism. My painting goal is twofold; First, to paint beautiful objects beautifully and interestingly. Second, to forge a spiritual connection between the viewer and the painting. I believe that a piece painted with passion has the soul to deeply affect the observer."

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, Suzanne knew from an early age that she wanted to be an artist. After earning a BFA in 1980 from Parsons School of Design in New York City, Suzanne began a prolific career as an illustrator; her work focusing on products for advertising, book covers and sporting events. After the births of her four children and a move to Atlanta, retirement was the right thing. When her youngest child reached school age, she felt the pull to resume painting. Her current work focuses primarily on
still life.