The road not expected

Suzie Harrison

Five years ago Sue Thompson had barely even picked up a

paintbrush. This year she is enjoying her second exhibit at the

Sawdust Festival and enjoying some commercial success.

Thompson moved to Laguna in 1996 and began her path toward

becoming an artist. In 1997, at age 46, she signed up for a 10-week

beginners to intermediate art class through the recreation

department.

“I kept feeling like I am supposed to do this and I took another

session in 1998 and painted every day of that summer,” Thompson said.

“I actually started pulling a painting together. With the painting

coming together I realized that this is something I am supposed to

do.”

The new focus in her life was a transformation for a woman, who at

46 had spent most of her adult life in the restaurant business. She

said she had done everything from working as a waitress, bar tending

and having a partnership in some franchises. It turned out her

background became fodder for her artistic outlet.

“I started to paint to know what I know, which is restaurants and

the feelings and the colors and what goes on,” she said.

Her works are usually of restaurant scenes in rich hues in a

variety of colors.

Thompson found inspiration in her art class. She said other

students became a sort of support group as well as critics of each

other’s work. She said the feedback gave her confidence. Her

confidence was boosted even further when her employer, Bandera’s

restaurant, bought some of her early pieces.

Now her art is purchased by several clients and the Houston’s

restaurant franchise has commissioned her to create a piece for one

of its New York venues.

Thompson said she was pleased with the response from her Sawdust

exhibit.

“I won the T-shirt design for the Sawdust Festival for 2001, my

first year,” Thompson said. “I feel like I have been really blessed

to live in a town that encourages art and has all the support for

artists.” Thompson said.

Because it came later in life Thompson said she thinks it made

being an artist an even sweeter accomplishment.

“How could I be so blessed to find what my passion in life was and

also get to do it and live it,” Thompson said.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321.