Atlanta based artist Suzanne Hughes Sullivan defines herself as a classical realist painter influenced by the Dutch and Flemish masters of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. “I am a great admirer of the Baroque painters, Suzanne states. “The drama and intimacy they brought to their work serves as a primary source of my inspiration.” Suzanne strives to create a subtle yet tactile atmosphere in her paintings. “The European Masters described it as ‘chiaroscuro’, meaning strong contrasts between light and dark areas in a painting. I would describe my work as having a decidedly ‘old world’ feel as opposed to a contemporary realism. I am seeking to invoke a feeling of warmth and intimacy in the viewer, to make them feel as if they were a part of the scene and could reach out and pick up a piece of the fruit or take a sip of wine. I characterize my work as realistic but not photographic.”

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 what was to be a prolific career as an illustrator, working in a style best described as photo-realism. Her work focused on products for advertising, editorial book covers and sporting events. Along the way were the births of four children and a move to Atlanta. Retirement was the right thing when the children were small, but when their youngest child reached school age, she felt the pull to resume painting. Her current work focuses on still life.