We had the good fortune of connecting with Suzie Barden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Suzie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I don’t know that I pursued an artistic career as much as it pursued me. Four years ago I began painting and rediscovering my love of creating. The more art I created for my home, the more my friends encouraged me to create for them. Several friends insisted on buying art from me and encouraged me to follow this path. For about two years I built up my courage and created many special pieces for my friends and family. Then I discovered resin art and my whole life changed. The art that I enjoyed as a hobby soon became my obsession! Very quickly more friends were requesting me to create resin art for them. Many of the first orders that came in were for larger pieces than I was comfortable creating, and they were patient while I figured out the new art form and built up the ability to create larger pieces. About a year later, I realized that I needed to make my art career official and I registered my business. From this moment I have not looked back! I love creating art for other people! It is my passion. I love the opportunity to create unique pieces of art for people!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Many people are confused when I tell them I am a Custom Resin Artist. “What does that mean?” Well, I create art using epoxy resin. I mix my pigments into the resin and pour them onto my boards. I love to add gems and crystals and other texture pieces to contrast against the smooth glass like finish of the resin. One of my favorite styles to create is an agate / geode style. I love how agates are striated and full of crystals. The rocks are literally transformed by the heat and pressure deep under ground into unique and beautiful natural pieces of art. I love re-creating them into large wall art! I also enjoy creating more abstract pieces of art with the resin. I love when the colors flow and create layers within themselves. One thing that sets me apart from other artists is that I create resin art on a large scale. The largest single piece I have created to date is 4’x6′. Resin has a fairly short working time, so creating such large pieces takes fast and precise work. It is always a race against the resin clock when working on a large piece, and I love the challenge! It is not always easy, and multiple times I have have messed things up so badly that I have had to start completely over. I don’t always get things right the first time I create a piece. I don’t give up though. I try to evaluate what I did right and wrong, then try again based on what I figured out. Almost every piece of art I create is custom ordered. I tailor it to the size, colors and style of what has been requested and create a unique piece of art for their home or office. I really don’t like repeating art. So even when someone requests a piece of art in a style of another piece, I purposefully change it up to be another unique piece. I feel that the trust people give me to create custom art for them is not to be taken lightly. There are so many talented artists in the Houston area, so when they choose me I am honored.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
South Side Espresso is my absolute favorite coffee shop in all of the Houston area. Jamaica Beach is my favorite spot to spend a lazy day on the beach. Cool Cow Creamery has the best ice cream down in Kemah. Stone Cold Meats in League City is where we go to get our steaks and grill at home. Brasserie 1895 in Friendswood is where we go for a special occasion meal and drinks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe so much of my success as an artist to the constant encouragement and support of my husband. He is a partner in all that I do. He builds my large boards for custom art orders, he helps me brainstorm when I am bouncing ideas around, and he takes charge in caring for the kids when I need to work late or on a weekend. Without his support, I don’t think I would be able to do all that I do. Another source of my success came from discovering Agnus Rup. (www.aga-art-studio.com) She was offering an online class, which I took and it was the class I truly needed. Her class refined my resin art skills and taught me several tips and tricks I was lacking.

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Website: www.livecolorfull.com

Image Credits
Laura Singleton