Artist Spotlight Series: Suzy Lindow of Wink Wink Studio

February 5, 2018

Artist Spotlight Series: Suzy Lindow of Wink Wink Studio

Art, Artist, Artist Spotlight Series, Artist Spotlight Series Feature, Suzy Lindow, Suzy Lindow of Wink Wink Studio, Virginia, Williamsburg, Wink Wink Studio

Getting back on track…

I am excited to introduce you to yet another talented artist for my Artist Spotlight Series.

Enjoy Getting to know this creative

Suzy Lindow of Wink Wink Studio

Williamsburg, Virginia

What is your training?

I am a self-taught artist. Although I wanted to go to art school, my parents urged me to get a “useful” college degree so I received a BS in Applied Psychology from New York University. I was a social worker and grant writer for a few years, making next to nothing (which is a shame considering how hard that profession is), and I painted on the side for fun. I married my high school sweetheart who’s a pilot, so we’ve moved around a great deal over the last 15 years—lots of job changes but the painting always remained a constant. It wasn’t until we finally settled down a few years ago that I started to take this creative endeavor more seriously and sell my work. The irony now is that I pay my (sizaeable) school loans off through art.

What inspires you and your designs?

I am hugely inspired by vintage textiles and other cultures with vibrant, colorful style. Peruvian frazadas. Indian kanthas. Turkish kilims. Thai indigo batik. List goes on. Oftentimes I’ll scroll through Etsy or my extensive eBay watch list of Things My Husband Forbids Me To Buy to get a jumping off point for fresh color combinations before I sit down to paint.

What is your favorite piece?

Oh that’s like picking one kitten out of the litter!! I’m partial to many, but there’s a couple I was especially sad to see go—and one or two I’ve yet to say goodbye to. Along with my abstracts on canvas, I adore doing collages in what I call my Junk Drawer and Boobies series.

(almost wish I didn’t sell this one from 2015 or 2016)

new recent favorite, sold

from my ‘Doodle’ series

a ‘Junk Drawer’ collage

from my ‘Maze’ series

new new favorite, available

How has your area influenced your work?

Before moving to coastal Virginia a few years ago, we lived all throughout the Southwest, mainly Southern California. The colors and vibe of the people and places there I think will always influence my work more than anything. Where we live now, right by Colonial Williamsburg, has a much more buttoned up and traditional tilt to the art scene, so I don’t as much identify with it so much as I simply enjoy the circumstances that my husband’s current job enable me to create with more regularity. He’s home a lot more and can help wrangle the kids so I can prioritize time in the studio, for which I’m incredibly grateful. That said, I’m getting slowly acquainted with the Southern art scene and looking forward to exploring cities just a day’s drive from me. Dying to check out Charlotte, Atlanta, and Charleston as I’ve seen so much talent swarming around those hubs.

What is your favorite restaurant in Williamsburg?

I love a quick, casual stop for breakfast or lunch outside at Aromas,

before strolling Colonial Williamsburg with the kids to see the horses pulling carriage rides and the new lambs in springtime.

What is your favorite cocktail?

I never turn down a Mojito.

How do you balance personal life and work?

Once I had kids, I learned to work in creative spurts at nap times and after I’ve put them to bed. This approach serves me best when I collage or work with inks. For painting, I like to start and complete a piece in one go—otherwise I lose momentum—so most times in order not to be interrupted, I’ll be sure to schedule it on one of my husband’s off days from flying. It’s sometimes challenging not to be able to work something out the moment inspiration strikes, but for now I’m looking at the bright side—getting to raise my kids while pursuing a passion where it fits in.

Dream trip?

Africa has always been on the list. And I think I’d love the sights and flavors of Cuba.

Dream commission?

I think I’d be pretty damn stoked to contribute pieces to a cool boutique hotel like The Ace, or anything designed by Jonathan Adler. I managed to grab drinks once at The Parker when I lived in Palm Springs and oh hey there, eye candy. I’m also obsessed with the Ban.do aesthetic surrounding girly nostalgia and bright bursts of color. Plus the Founder and Creative Director, Jen Gotch has to be about the funniest human on earth. I’d die happy to have my art in that whole scene.

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

Wine or flowers with a hand painted card.

Who is your style icon?

I’ll admit, I’m not big into fashion—I’m more of a jeans and plain t-shirt with Vans type girl—but I envy the pulled-together style of Olivia Palermo. I’ve never seen a photograph taken of her where she looks anything short of stunning and polished. I don’t think my hair sees anything but a topknot more than one day a week—especially now that I live in the south.

Your favorite up and coming artist?

Again, it’s like picking kittens, there’s just so many and I’m not even really certain I’d be able to accurately judge whether they’re truly up and coming or have been going like gangbusters all along and I’m just finally crawling out from under a rock. I really love Jenny Andrews Anderson’s work—everything from her abstracts to irises to her bowls series. Jenny Prinn is far from up and coming but she’s probably one of my all time favorites, there’s nothing she paints that I don’t love instantly. I love Kristin Gaudio Endlsey’s geometric works with bright pops of neon.

Best kept secret source of inspiration is Morgan Walker; her collage faces are endlessly quirky and fascinating, and I equally dig her abstracts.

And an artist whose style (and house) is completely bananas is Angela Chrusciaki Blehm—some unbelievably awesome ribbons paintings with color combinations that will blow your mind. There’s so many gems floating around on Instragram though, how does one ever narrow it down??

What is your most treasured possession?

I suppose I should say my oldest’s first tooth or wedding photos but push comes to shove, it’s going to be some killer consignment shop or flea market find. I stumbled across this huge 4’x6’ framed vintage African textile a couple of years ago and snagged it for a song. Usually I pare way down with my belongings whenever we move but I’ll gladly lug that giant beauty along with me to the next house, and the one after that.

What are you reading?

When it’s not some stupid baby sleep training book (at 4:45am), it’s The Tao of Bill Murray by Gavin Edwards.

What are you listening to?

My go-to music choices are almost always classic rock, Motown oldies, or dancehall reggae.

What are your favorite blogs / publications?

I follow a lot of design blogs—interiors are another major inspiration. Among my favorites are Little Green Notebook,

I Suwanee, Old Brand New, Trot Home and Christine Dovey’s Bijou & Boheme. Reath Design’s portfolio is one I can flip through time and time again and still be inspired. Same goes for Nickey Kehoe. Of course, Design*Sponge, Domino, and Apartment Therapy are always bookmarked. And when I’m not ogling interiors, I like to troll through old archives of ‘Animals Talking In All Caps’ (Tumblr) and Bluntcard for humor, and Post Secret Tumblr archives and Humans of New York when I want food for thought.