About Susan
My Creative background
Many years ago, the Lord told me to bloom where I was planted in my little corner of the world. He has such a sense of humor, as I am literally in the lower southeast corner of Washington state at the mouth of Hell's Canyon.
My very tiny studio and gallery are where I get to connect with Heaven, and bring it to earth through my art and writing through many different art mediums.
My experience
As a little girl in Kindergarten, I began this journey of this creative world of art. I went on to get my BA in Commercial Art from Pensacola Christian College. From there I worked in art in some form for my whole life through , teaching, graphic design, illustrations, fine art, and floral design.
My Dream
"Capturing the Essence" is all about being a visionary and really seeing with the eyes of my heart into my subject matter. I believe it is my God-given gift to understand the spirit of my subject and be able to catch glimpses of that life, light, and love and paint it on paper or canvas for all to view and enjoy.
The Words of Others
Real Testimonials
"Wonderful! You are touching and influencing many hearts. " - S. G.
"Congratulations Susan! I'm excited for you but also for the many that have bought your book and will be as blessed as I was with it!" - D. K.
God’s hand is all over it!! So beautiful! - D.G.
About Me
Inspirational Artist & Author - Gardener of Roses & Hearts
During recess I began "practicing" for that dream ahead - to be an artist! At the tender age of six, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior continued to grow in love with the Lord. I began making cards at a young age, and that began to be a creative outlet using calligraphy and small watercolor illustrations. It was my life-long dream to create hope and encouragement for others through my art.
After receiving my BA Commercial Art from Pensacola Christian College, I went on to teach college art classes, work as an illustrator, and as a graphic designer. After college, got married and then had my three amazing daughters. But life took on a much different course than I had dreamed. I began to go through painful decades of fear, abuse, divorce, widowhood, loss and great hardships with great physical and emotional pain.
Through those terribly hard years, the one thing I did was put my trust in God and His great mercy and grace. As I put my trust in Him, He was faithful and oh so loving. He was true to His Word and did eventually bring me beauty for ashes. He allowed me to finally begin to realize my dreams. The time proved to be eternally rewarding through the many jewels the Lord revealed to me on my journey.
It is now time to share those treasures with you! I have written and illustrated those years of learning and gathering in my published books - Color My World, Enjoy Roses Every Day - Inside, Vol. 1, and Enjoy Roses Every Day - Outside, Vol. 2 .
Currently, I have the blessing of working out of my home studio, S. Pettit Gallery. It is a tiny home studio where I paint, draw, write, create and imagine while surrounded by roses, flowers and herbs. It is a peaceful spot that I get to create many commissioned fine art pieces, art work and teach others how to grow in their art. I gather inspiration from the Creator's handiwork in my herb and flower gardens. I also worked in the floral industry as a professional floral designer and grower over the years.
The Lord has given me the gifts of being an artist who uses my pen and brush to paint the colors and images of the Lord's love. light, and hope. As one to encourage as artist and gardener for over almost 50 years, I get to continue daily to grow in the love and grace of my Lord Jesus Christ. Having a cup of tea with guests seeking prayer or a word of encouragement is a great joy in my life. My three lovely grown daughters and grandson are extra special blessings.
I believe the Lord wants us to share our story. Do you have a story you'd like to share with me about your personal walk with the Lord, or how art and beauty influenced you for the better? I'd love to hear it!
Meet My Garden Flowers
Where do you like to go and disconnect from the cares of the day? For me, it is in the garden. Whenever the stress of the day, week, or my life seems to take over, if I can just slip outside and connect with God's beauty outside, ah, it makes life seem so much more in order in a very short order.
Gardening is in my blood as I come from a long line of gardeners. My love of color and beauty seem to find great satisfaction in the garden. It is there, in that light symphony of fragrance, design, colors and lines all orchestrate to paint music for my soul. I need flowers! It is just the way God made me. I just need that feast of the garden elements to feed the senses of my soul so I can connect with Him.
My number one favorite, always has been since I was a little girl, and always will be on into eternity…is the rose. To this day, I can remember walking in my Grandmother's tiny Californian rose garden and looking up and drinking in the wafts of heady rose perfume. At one time, I had over 200 rose bushes. In the small garden I have now, I am down to about 5 dozen or so. I love all sizes, shapes, colors and types. But my special treasures are ones that have that romantic knock out fragrance in bi-colored hues such as Double Delight and Falling in Love. As this year goes along, I will post their portraits!
Other cherished members of my garden include the fragrant lilies, spring bulbs, hydrangeas, many herbs, pansies, primroses and ferns. They all hold a special place around my and in my home and in my affections.
Roses & More Roses!!
Roses, mmm, just the name floods my mind and heart with joy, color, fragrance and beauty.
I do believe their are in my DNA so much I am currently writing about roses in my new upcoming book, Enjoy Roses Every Day. In this beautiful new book, I share my rose secrets, how to grow and enjoy them on a daily basis. Also, the Lord has asked me to share with you, my intimate and personal journey with The Rose - King Jesus. I have some surprises tucked in the pages, and many true stories that the Lord and I have shared in this journey.
I have grown roses since I was a little girl. In that time I have made some mistakes and have also had many successes in the hundreds of roses I have personally planted and grown. Over the years, many have not understood my whys and hows as I have started planting after plantings. But, once the little roses have grown to be lush and bear glorious fragrant blooms, people have gotten over the oddity of my way. Then, they too begin to see the Lord work on my behalf to bring about their beauty.
Now, many people contact me how to grow those lovely beauties. So, as time permits, I will share my secrets to help you grow your own garden of roses! But, in the meantime, I sneak as much time out among my beauties as much as possible, and share their lovely faces with many people every year, with blessings and goodwill. I also paint them all throughout the year as well, so that others all around the world can enjoy my roses.
May the Lord fill your heart with His Presence and beautiful fragrance.