Regional Spotlight Artist Profile | Suzanne Roberts

The Regional Spotlight initiative is an opportunity for Wide-Bay Burnett artists at any stage in their career, working in any visual art medium, to receive mentorship and share their work at the gallery. Developed from an expressions of interest process, the 2025 exhibition brings a multifaceted survey of local artists sharing their personal connection to space, landscape, environment, home and time through mediums of painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and mixed media work. 

For Suzanne Roberts, landscape painting brings a quiet joy, allowing her to capture memories and experiences on canvas.

How long have you been making artwork?

During my school education years, I excelled in all aspects of art studies, but did not have the opportunity to further my art studies. After relocating from Tasmania to Hervey Bay in 2018, I picked up the brushes again after almost fifty years of a busy working and family life and found that I still had that gift and love of art expression.

What are your favourite mediums to work with and why?

My mediums of choice are acrylic and mixed media pen. I find acrylic dries more quickly than oils and colours reflect a more vibrant finish. My research is from memories and photography collected over the years. Many of my landscapes do have Tasmanian themes thus so far but plans of Queensland landscapes are on the agenda.

Who/what inspires or influences you?

I admire the works of Australian artists Warwick Fuller and Peter Goldthorpe because of their visions and colour of the true landscape and the amazing lifetime art journey of Margaret Olley.

My paintings are from the heart, of unforgettable landscapes and memories. The true composition of weather defining moods of nature that reflect light, colour, perspective, beauty and drama, that I feel I have an emotional connection to. My finished canvas is to share with others a reflection of that experience held in time.

Has your practice and subject matter changed over time? If so, how?

Early years were with oils and pencil and painting stage backdrops for school plays, but these days acrylics are my choice of medium. I have experimented in visual exploration of the human form, flora, birds and dog portraits. Most of all I prefer landscapes because of that feeling of belonging or being there.

What do you like most about living in the region?

We chose Hervey Bay because of being by the sea with mild winters. The people are friendly and outgoing with a sense of community. Most services from our home are within two kilometres, the ease of driving around the area and no parking metres!

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be true to yourself. On the way embrace detours, find beauty in imperfection and always celebrate the present. Be kind to yourself, love and laugh often. Take risks and follow your passion no matter how long it takes. We are only here for a short time so why not make it extraordinary.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Now that I have been accepted as a participant in the 2025 Regional Spotlight Exhibition, I am very open as to which path this will lead into the future. I look forward to the valuable experience of exhibiting my painting.

What is the most interesting feedback you have had about your work?

When I show a photo image of one of my paintings to several people they comment “are you sure that’s a painting, as it looks so real!”

My husband said when I picked up the brushes again a few years ago “Well I didn’t know you could paint like that after all these years!”

Photo: Lumi Creative