About the Artist

"Dive into the heart of Santa Cruz with Susan Brown Fine Art, where every stroke captures the unseen beauty of local spots and street scenes. From unique landscapes to personalized commissions, discover art that brings the soul of Santa Cruz into your home."

I’m a woman painter who has much to say about our world through my paintings. Approaching a blank canvas is like beginning an unknown journey, with pitfalls, challenges and unexpected surprises; some of them “happy surprises,” some not. I call the process “paintstaking.” I am a colorist who blends reality and imagination; not an exact realist. 

I bring the soul of California into my paintings. I’m known for my paintings of Santa Cruz County, but I don't paint coastal or beach scenes because I feel they are over represented. My work brings new life to subjects often thought of as mundane, such as "just a street." I choose to show places that are rarely, if ever, seen in paintings and to celebrate little known aspects of well known places. 

These paintings originate from life studies, art history, photography, and my own experiences discovering local landmarks and scenes. My “Locations” series offer a new excitement to places that are well known; inviting viewers to see them with new eyes.

Instead of giving all the answers, my paintings engage the viewer to ask themselves questions, such as where a road may lead. My paintings evoke a sense of recognition, nostalgia, or deja vu, whether or not someone has actually been to these places.