Susannah Bond

Buttercup Blooms, Oil 2025

Susannah Bond VAS received a Signatory Award at the Hylton Mackley Artist of the Year Exhibition

I paint from my home in Melbourne, but I love to escape to the coast at every given opportunity which is where most of my inspiration is from; the surf, the ocean, the endless beaches and rugged landscapes that lead me there. Exploring depth of colour and texture mostly through oil and cold wax, mixing shades and tones, softening or grazing the edges and getting lost in the layers. This process helps me reveal organic and abstract shapes from the original reference as it unveils something new, perhaps unusual, joyful or contemplative.

In the Stillness, Oil 2025

Most of my paintings are evocative of a memory or a moment of still observation and through layers and adventurous use of colour and colour harmony, I enjoy the transformation of each piece. I’m inspired by 20th Century artists such as Henri Matisse, Nicolas de Stael and Bernard Cathelin and their confident application of paint and unique colour palettes. Their work intrigues me and encourages me to test my curiosity and push my own ability. I love embracing new challenges and I’m embracing the process as my journey unfolds.

Susannah Bond VAS working in her studio

I have been painting for over thirty years, but I began my art journey as a child when I’d draw and sketch a multitude of characters from story books I grew up with. I absolutely fell in love with art at school when I learnt about artists such as Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Henri De Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul Cezanne and their bold use of colour and confident style. I pursued art as a hobby and loved to work with pastels when I was much younger.

Back Beach Track, Oil and cold wax, 2024

After a lengthy period of pursuing other careers, travel, then family life and motherhood, I returned to painting about fifteen years ago when my sister gifted me a day’s workshop at the Linden Gallery in St Kilda. It was the best gift ever and I haven’t stopped painting since!

Susannah Bond VAS with her paintings at the Victorian Artists Society

I have exhibited at many Rotary art shows and several other exhibitions, and more recently I have sold many paintings through online platforms such as Bluethumb Original Art, and galleries including Forman Art and Framing, and The Toowoomba Gallery, Queensland, Art Edit Magazine, and have been featured in Home Beautiful and Grand Design magazines.

Lake Victoria, Oil and cold wax, 2025

I have a fond memory of the very first painting I exhibited at VAS. It was a small still life, Rosa Rossa, 2019, and it was positioned beautifully at the top of the grand staircase. I was so proud of myself but moreover I was so beguiled by the beautiful space and the warm light of the VAS gallery, and for every exhibition since, I have felt enormously proud and very privileged to be part of such a special art community.

Rosa Rossa, Oil 2019

I’m always striving to improve and constantly apply the things I’ve learnt along the way: finding composition, form, shape, line and colour harmony on the canvas. I am currently learning to shift from traditional to conceptual art, moving reality of form in my work to an abstracted reality, working mainly in oil and cold wax.

The Point, Oil and cold wax 2023

I have been a member of the Victorian Artist’s Society for several years and have been selected into the Artist of the Year each year since 2022. I was very fortunate to receive a Highly Commended award in this 2025 Summer Exhibition in January.

Silent Moment, Oil 2025

I love to travel and have travelled widely, collecting information and inspiration for my paintings along the way. I am always evolving in my work through interpreting reality and translating reality into structured paintings moving towards abstraction.