Artist Spotlight: Where Creativity Comes to Life: Inside Suzi’s Colourful World
- Glenda Brown
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
This month, we shine a light on a local artist whose talent, humour, and generosity have made a lasting impact on the Whitsundays creative community. With thousands of portrait commissions under her belt and a thriving studio that welcomes everyone from beginners to seasoned artists, Suzi Hancock has built far more than a business, she’s built a place where people connect.
Creative from the Start
Suzi grew up in Victoria in a highly creative family, surrounded by musicians, writers, and dancers. While she appreciated all forms of art, drawing and painting quickly became her true focus. As a child, she would choose sketching over playing outside whenever she could.
Her parents recognised her passion early on. Her father made a habit of bringing home new art materials each payday, quietly nurturing what was already becoming a lifelong calling. Suzi spent hours borrowing library books and carefully copying images of animals and fictional characters. By just nine years old, she was already winning school and community art competitions.
Suzi describes her style as firmly rooted in realism, often edging into hyperrealism. At the same time, she loves fantasy themes, blending technical precision with imagination.
She was particularly inspired by the work of Hugo Laurencena and Roberto Bernardi, drawn to their sharp, exacting style. In her younger years, she explored similar still life works, honing the attention to detail that now defines her portraiture.
From Passion to Profession
Suzi’s artistic journey took a significant turn in her mid-20s when she became deeply immersed in portraiture. Moving away from more colourful, playful work, she focused on charcoal, developing a signature style that would go on to define her career.
While living in Thailand and running businesses there, she launched her online venture Life Like Portrait Art in 1998. At one point, she was producing up to nine portrait commissions a week, an incredible pace sustained over many years.
Her process is grounded but personal. Music has always been part of her creative space, and in earlier years, a glass (or three) of wine helped her settle into the flow. Now four years sober, she reflects on those times with honesty, while continuing to create from a place she describes simply as her “happy place.”
Mischa, 2025, Pencil on paper
While Suzi has worked across many mediums, coloured pencil remains her favourite. She also works in charcoal and watercolour, and enjoys experimenting with acrylics from time to time.
Her process often begins with graphite or conte sketching, sometimes incorporating pastel for backgrounds. She also has a love for calligraphy, another outlet for her precision and control.
Building Something Bigger: Smart Arts
A major shift came in 2007, when Suzi began teaching art to children for free at PCYC and a local Christian college. What started as a generous offering quickly grew into something much bigger. Adults began requesting lessons, and soon she was running classes from her home studio.
By 2010, she had around 40 students each week. Just a few years later, in 2013, Smart Arts was born.
Now approaching its 13th year, Smart Arts welcomes around 180 adult and junior students every week. It has become a cornerstone of the local community, especially for those who may have never considered themselves “artistic.”
Suzi has created a space where people feel safe to try, fail, learn, and grow. It’s not just about art, it’s about connection. Many students have been attending for years, and for those new to the Whitsundays, the studio often becomes their first sense of belonging.
While teaching now takes up much of her time, Suzi still creates when she can. These days, her personal work is often deeply meaningful, whether it’s a heartfelt gift, a commissioned piece, or artwork donated to support causes close to her heart, including suicide prevention.
For Suzi, creativity isn’t something that comes and goes, it’s constant.
“It’s in my blood,” she says. “You can’t turn it off… and would you want that? Not me.”
While life sometimes gets in the way of time at the easel, the drive never disappears. She always has a project underway, with several more waiting in line.
She also credits her close friend Jennifer Beaumont as a significant influence, both artistically and personally. Their ongoing conversations about art and creativity continue to shape her perspective and fuel her passion.
Highlights and Achievements
One unforgettable highlight was the Sarina Art Extravaganza, where Suzi entered seven pieces. Every single piece won an award, and all were sold, including two acquisitive works. “It blew my mind,” she recalls.
Today, she continues to support and celebrate emerging artists through exhibitions at Smart Arts, including a children’s exhibition in May and the much-anticipated annual adult exhibition in July.
Creating from the Heart
Suzi keeps it simple and honest.
“I always just do my best. Otherwise, it’s not worth signing. It has to come from the heart.”
Her philosophy is grounded in authenticity. Be true to yourself. Create with intention. And let the work speak for itself.
What's Next
Currently, Suzi is working on an exciting new project, writing and illustrating a fantasy book for children, blending her love of realism with imagination and storytelling.
As always, there’s something new on the horizon.
Suzi’s story is one of passion, resilience, and generosity. Through her art and through Smart Arts, she continues to inspire hundreds of people every week to pick up a pencil, take a chance, and discover what they’re capable of.
Comments