Susan Noll is an expressive figurative artist whose work is rooted in humor, whimsy, and an affection for the imperfectly human. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Susan began making art before she was old enough for school, guided by her self-taught mother. What started with crayons and coloring books evolved into sketching, pen and ink, and a wide range of painting mediums. In recent years, her work has focused on acrylic paint markers alongside pen and ink.
Susan’s art often features lovable characters and playful moments, sometimes intentionally humorous and sometimes delightfully accidental—humor has been known to appear while she’s busy cleaning her brushes. There is little that makes her happier than knowing someone smiled or giggled after encountering her work.
Her process is intuitive and flexible. At times she begins with a rough sketch; other times she draws directly onto a blank surface. Color choices emerge organically rather than being planned in advance, developing in response to her first instinctive mark. Beneath this spontaneity lies a strong foundation in composition and color, shaped by Susan’s years as a graphic designer.
Susan studied Communication Design / Graphic Design in the Master’s Degree program at Pratt Institute in New York and has continued to develop her painting practice through workshops with Theresa Ferrier (New York), Jessel Miller (Napa), and Theo Becker (St. Helena).
Her work has been recognized with awards at the Napa Town & Country Fair, including 3rd Place for The Jazz Band and 4th Place for Still Good Friends.
At Mare Island Art Studios, Susan supports the creative ecosystem through Administrative Support and as a Community Liaison, helping strengthen connections between artists, visitors, and the broader Vallejo community.
More of Susan’s work can be found at:
https://susannoll.com
