Charleston Living Magazine May-June 2023

BUZZ | ART SEEN
Pet Portraiture
Susanne Carter’s work showcases our furry friends
By LIESEL SCHMIDT
W
While Susanne Carter
is, by her own admission, new to
the designation of “professional
artist,” the ease with which she approaches a
blank canvas and the comfort she feels in
unleashing color onto that blank canvas is
something innate and deeply ingrained.
Until late 2022, Carter checked the box
of mainstream employment, working fulltime
in an internal medicine office that was
part of Roper St. Francis Hospital. To satisfy
her need for creativity, she did an occasional
dog portrait on commission—usually for
those whose beloved dogs had crossed over
the rainbow bridge.
Finding success with this particular
subject, she expanded her focus and also began
doing Charleston-themed paintings to
sell from a friend’s booth at the Charleston
City Market.
Carter’s creative side has been evident
since childhood, though she only considered
her art a hobby until the last six months. In
those six months, she has built her portfolio
and strengthened the numbers in her clientele,
making her name more synonymous
with pet portraiture in the Charleston area.
Realistic as these portraits are, Carter
bucks the idea that her paintings must be
completely true to the reference photos she
is given.
“My style is realistic in a painterly way,”
she says. “When I’m painting, I try hard to not
completely copy a photo that clients give me,
because I believe that if they wanted that, they
could just frame the photo. They’re looking for
something lifelike and beautiful, but not so
literal. What I do kind of embodies the personality
of the animal more than a photo does.”
She adds, “There is also the challenge of
the photos themselves. The biggest challenge
with pet portraits is the quality of the photos
(Above): 11”x14”, oil on canvas. (Left): Susanne
Carter with commissions of furry friends.
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