Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzie Barden.
Hi Suzie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2017, I rediscovered my love of art and painting while sitting down to paint with my daughter. At that time, watercolors were my favorite medium. I love the fluidity of watercolors and it is very meditative for me. Quickly, I had friends wanting me to paint art for them. Watercolor agates and silhouettes of their children were the most popular requests. In August of 2017, my home flooded in Hurricane Harvey. With the destruction of my home, I lost my space for creating art as well. During the reconstruction, I did not paint but I did find myself zoning out to other artists’ process videos and particularly acrylic pouring videos. By the time we were ready to decorate my living room, I knew I wanted a pour painting, so I set out to figure out how. Back then there was not much instruction readily available so I experimented until I was happy with the result. I had seen a few artists cover their acrylic pour paintings with a clear coat of resin, so I did that as well. Then it clicked! Why can’t I just add my paints directly into the resin? This one “light bulb” moment, changed the direction of my art and lit a fire in me that has yet to be quenched!
Fast forward to 2022 and I exclusively create art with epoxy resin. I still love to create the agate/geode slices but now instead of watercolor, I am using resin and contrasting the glass like finish with adding in gems, crystals and rock like texture. I also enjoy creating art that resembles an overhead view of the ocean and abstract colorful art.
My art has also taken on a much larger scale. I have created multiple extremely large paintings ranging 6 – 8 feet tall! My engineer husband helps me build the custom sizes to ensure they are built strong and straight and I love the challenge of creating art on such a large scale!
In 2020, I had the honor of having 3 of my paintings hanging in the home of Washington and Leslie Ho during the filming of their HBO MAX docu-series, House of Ho.
At the end of 2021, I began offering high quality art prints through my website. So much of what I create is custom ordered, and I wanted to find a way to bring my art to more people. By offering the high quality prints, I am able to have my art accessible to a wider audience and the customer can even have the prints put onto merchandise items like canvas bags, puzzles, Christmas ornaments and coffee mugs!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Life in itself is never a smooth road, but I feel that the struggles tend to lead the way to innovation and change for the better! The largest struggle would have to have been when our home flooded in Hurricane Harvey and I was unable to paint for several months during our rebuild time. During that time, I explored social media and discovered other artists that opened my eyes to resin art and literally changed the direction of my artwork. Learning to work with resin was a challenge. There were not many tutorials or instructions readily available, so it lead to many trials and errors to figure it out. I am thankful for the struggle of learning to work with resin. It forced me to take risks and try new things that I never would have if someone had held my hand through the process. By the time I discovered Aga Art Studio in Canada and took her online resin class, I had the basics figured out and was able to run with the extra instruction she gave me.
I try to keep the butterfly in mind when walking through hard times. The struggles transform us and build “muscles” we didn’t know we had or needed. There are so many experiences I wish I didn’t have to walk through, but looking back, I see that had I not gone through the struggles, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. And to be honest, I’ve learned to love the person that I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Custom Resin Artist. When I say that, most people give me a blank stare. Resin is not a common art medium, and most people think of using resin to finish their garage floor or fix their boat. I use an art grade of epoxy resin and mix my pigments directly into it. I work with it in a fluid state and when it dries (or cures) it has a glossy, glass like finish. I enjoy adding different texture elements like gems, crystals, concrete and foam to add in a 3D effect to contrast the smooth finish of the resin.
I am most known for creating extra large geode/agate inspired artwork. When I say extra large, I mean art pieces that are 6 – 8 feet long! I also love to create artwork that has an overhead view of the ocean and even abstract colorful pieces. No matter the art style I am creating, I always include a metallic accent and gold is my favorite.
One thing that sets me apart from other artists, is my partnership with my husband. He helps me build the extra large or custom sized boards. This way, no matter the space available, we can create a custom piece of art to fit.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Houston is a fantastic place to live and work! We are surrounded by so many cultures and are influenced by the whole world. There are more languages spoken in Houston than anywhere else and if you want to reach the world, come to Houston. If you can handle the heat and humidity then Houston is full of opportunity and support.
I could tell you about how great our food and music scenes are but really what makes Houston great is its people.
When we flooded in Hurricane Harvey, our community showed up and served. Strangers were quick to help us clean up and rebuild. They brought us food and resources. Our city became one during that time and showered each other with love.
There truly is no greater city on earth.
Contact Info:
- Email: livecolorfullart@gmail.com
- Website: www.livecolorfull.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/live_color_full
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/livecolorfull
- Other: www.tiktok.com/livecolorfull
