Susie’s still-life practice explores the beauty and variety found in simple objects, natural forms and found materials. Rooted in the tradition of classical still life, her work focuses on the way light interacts with different surfaces—passing through glass, falling across petals, or reflecting from glossy materials. She is drawn to contrasts in texture and the way light and colour move between objects within a composition.

Her method is always from life. She creates each composition within a black box, using a directional light to carefully control light and shadow. Objects are selected for the relationships they create when placed together, with water, ceramic and glass playing an important role in distorting, reflecting and transforming colour and shape. She frequently crops objects closely, creating intimate compositions that suggest something may be happening just outside the frame.

Working on cradled panels, she begins each painting with a tonal underpainting before building colour to create a unique finished work. Each painting takes approximately 6–15 hours to complete, combining careful observation with her own creative and technical approach.

Susie graduated from Middlesex University in 1988 with a degree in 3D Design. Her technical painting skills are self-taught and have developed through continued practice and experimentation.

Through her work, she aims to draw attention to the visual qualities of everyday things and explore how light, colour, texture and composition can transform the way familiar objects are perceived. By pushing colour, form and texture beyond expectation, she invites the viewer to pause and look at ordinary things with renewed curiosity.