Pete Morris Art blogger www.sunlive.co.nz

Artist Suzanne Smith was born in Auckland, grew up in Te Puke and Tauranga, and was a foundation pupil at the new Otumoetai College.

Suzanne trained as a photographic oil colourist and retoucher - a profession she continued for the next 30 years.

While living in England she attended pastel portraiture, watercolour and life drawing classes at Berkshire Art College.

After that, between travels, Suzanne completed many portrait commissions while raising a family back in New Zealand.

About 12 years ago, needing more self-expression in her art, Suzanne says she was lucky to have top Art Buzz tutors, Kate Jones- Madill, Hayley Brown and Liz Bailey add to her knowledge and evolving picture making techniques. She exhibited acrylic coastal scenes soon after.

Over the years Suzanne's palette evolved from bright colours to more monotone works often featuring trees and tidal estuaries.

'Boat Shed' - with Hairini bridge in the distance by Suzanne Smith.

The next change of direction was triggered by newspaper headlines. Suzanne painted comments on life containing collaged text, with a play on words or pun in the titles.

These featured in a solo exhibition in 2008 at the Art Boutique Gallery.

More recent works have featured collaged fabric and a return to the faces she loved drawing years ago.

'Ban Baby Walkers' mixed media on canvas.

Suzanne's telling picture 'Ban Baby Walkers' was inspired by two newspaper articles.

One article called for a ban on dangerous baby walking frames, and the other on child prostitutes walking the streets in Auckland.

She says ,"I have loved drawing since childhood, covering school books in faces and cartoons.

"I paint a variety of subjects, but am often inspired by the silhouettes of trees and the trailing lines of harbour water at ebb tide, particularly in strong contrast, low light conditions.

"At present I am enjoying experimenting with mixed media, fabric, sewing and found objects".

Suzanne doesn't paint commissions. Since 1999 she has exhibited in many galleries, including Madhouse Gallery, Pyromania, Art Studio, Row Gallery and Art Boutique.

At present she exhibits with Gallery 59 in Tauranga , Heritage Gallery in Cambridge, Port Road Gallery in Whangamata, and the Depot Art Space in Devonport Auckland.
Suzanne can be contacted about her art at suzannesmith01@gmail.com

Pete Morris is an occasional painter and an art lover. He has a particular interest in promoting the visual arts in Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.