Suzanne Rende Artworks

When I search my brain for earliest memories, I cannot remember a time in my life that I was not doodling, painting, sewing,…creating something.

In 1993, I graduated from Hussian School of Art in Philadelphia, PA. My full time mural arts career began in 1996 while living in Southern California where I worked for several years. In 2000, I moved back to my home state of NJ where I continued to paint for a host of clients in the tri-state area. I worked for a diverse array of clients: from preschools to 20,000 square foot restaurants, in addition to private homes. Since 2017, I have resided in York, Pennsylvania commissioning murals, original paintings and operating Naked Chick Art, a local artist collective I owned, inside York Central Market. In April of 2022, I opened The Artful Nest, a storefront in Marietta, PA where I sell my art and the theme of the shop is nature inspired, happy and handmade.

I always strive to “paint happy”. My paintings primarily feature animals engaged and interacting in various ways. I try to paint a sweet story about the relationship between the critters in my painting or between the critter and the viewer.  I want the viewer to appreciate the beauty and mood of animals and to smile.  I feel that if looking at a whimsical animal painting can stimulate a single person to smile or even giggle then it was worth the time to paint. I don’t think art has to be hard to read into or complicated to be relevant. Everyone can benefit from a smile. 

In 2021, I was commissioned to paint a 70 foot by 30 foot public mural in the Market District in York, PA. This was my largest and most viewed artwork ever….and what a rewarding experience. I feel so grateful that I was able to hear the appreciative comments about this work and how it was spreading happiness while I was creating it.