Suzanne O'Shea is making her way in the art world one painting at a time.

Not an artist by trade (yet) she has found a passion that she never knew was hiding for so long.

"Looking back I realize I’ve always had an interest in art and I believe so many people do but sometimes it can be disguised. Cooking, sewing, gardening, playing an instrument, taking in live music, dancing, journaling   … These kinds of things are all connected and are expressions of art. They’re expressions of our inner self, behaviors and actions we take to connect with ourselves and our outer world. When we find ourselves lost in a “zone”, losing track of time while making a calzone from scratch and with love, we are being creative and finding our joy," O'Shea said.

She's lived in Cranston for 30 years with her husband and three sons, she's originally from South Boston, and attended Emmanuel College, Suffolk University and Rhode Island College.

Presently, she is the owner of Suzanne O’Shea Associates, LLC. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist LMFT.

"Here’s where my profession meets my personal life. I am a people person and as a mental health therapist, I’ve always been drawn to stories. When I took on the role of art student in my 50’s, I was quite literally practicing what I preach. The pandemic abruptly moved the therapy session to online virtual rooms and mental health professionals across the world scrambled and struggled to support people during this crisis and part of my approach was to guide others (and myself) to focus on what we can control. Find connection and meaning even if that connection looks different than what we were used to," she said.

It was, in fact, the lockdown of days during Covid, that led her to find the paintbrush.

"Having no idea what I was about to discover about myself, during the height of the pandemic a close friend recommended an online painting course and I found myself combing the state in search of scarce supplies. I had never painted before but like many of us I was willing to try anything to fill the time and keep my mind occupied. These masked outings provided a purpose as well as some contact with the outside world, which I longed for. Blick in Providence became my version of Cheers, literally, everyone knew my name. But it wasn't a cocktail I was after," she joked.

Finding outlets related to our inner values (ex. be open, playful, curious) and then engaging in those outlets was one avenue toward maintaining sanity during that time. This strategy works during any stressful time but it was especially key then.

"And as we all learned, the internet was an invaluable resource during the pandemic. I found classes I was interested in, and I not only learned to let go and play and follow those little urges with the supplies I was able to scrounge up, but I also found a community of other students, artists and teachers from across the world. Each course has its own virtual hub of encouragement. I created friendships and found mentors willing to take me under their wing. I found out that artists are among the most kind hearted, generous people on the planet," O'Shea said.

As a complete beginner she was drawn toward abstract art. Affordable classes offered by Tracy Verdugo provided the perfect platform to explore color and shapes and marks without the worry of making a mistake. Without even realizing it she was learning art principles. There were no mistakes. Acrylic paint is forgiving, you can change anything you don’t like and move on. The layers beneath add to the history of the painting in the end. It’s a lot like life itself.

"My marks soon turned into figures. Missing people and feeling isolated it’s no surprise in hindsight but as I painted, my imagination would begin to see a person in those shapes, then crowds of people. Somehow I felt connected to people again. Lost in a moment. They were coming through and began to take shape at first in the form of silhouettes from behind. They were searching," she said.

Later and with paint and paper still in short supply she took an online class with Kara Bullock called “Charcoal Like Mad” and using just a piece of cardboard and some charcoal, her figures “turned around” and she had her first face. Reminiscent of tele-health meetings, this face to her symbolized the intensity and depth of soul searching that was taking place on a daily basis.

"I felt her eyes spoke directly of strength and perseverance. And to be honest, I thought it came out quite well. I suppose I was like most people thinking “I can’t draw a face” but as it turns out it’s just a collection of shapes," she said.

Staying true to her playful value, she also enjoyed courses with Emma Petite where the figure is regarded as a fluid shape, no anatomy involved.

"My husband has a crush on this one named “Delilah” and I’m quite sure he would run away with her if given the chance. I love the sort of retro feel she has and also the fact that there are many (many) ugly versions of her underneath," she said.

Sometimes, people she love inspire her painting.

"One night after spending time on the phone with my son who was working thru some tough situations at college,  I opened a new cheap ink pen and calling on an angel armed with a little bowl of water, I created this painting stopping when the little broken heart emoji dripped and formed on his throat as it did all on its own. It’s my new kind of magic when that happens," said O'Shea.

Very late one night, while scrolling through the internet and dreaming of days when things would return to normal O'Shea discovered the Providence Art Club website.

"I visited that website dozens of times in the months to come, simply in awe of the history and the sense of community that was evident by the sheer number of exhibitions and open to the public events that were constant and evolving prior to the pandemic," she said.

Steeped in the tradition of celebrating and welcoming both artists and those who value and support the arts, she began to want for the same kind of learning and camaraderie she had found online, here, in person, in Rhode Island.

"My husband and I chose to visit for the first time on a wintery weekend when the Providence Art Club’s  student work was being exhibited. I’ll never forget walking into the main gallery for the first time. As we walked inside, I felt as though an oven door had opened on my face. There was a warm sensation and I had a sense of de ja vu. Walking through the gleaming galleries, with people crowded together enjoying each other and the impressive works on display, chatting and laughing and gazing, I got goosebumps," she said.

She left her husband John, (who has been her biggest supporter,) just standing there holding his drink. She walked straight to the membership desk and began the process of applying for membership.

"The Providence Art Club has over 600 members, about half are Exhibiting Artists and half are Patrons, supporters of the arts. It is one of the greatest honors of my life to have applied and been accepted as a Patron member. This in itself is more than enough. For me this is a “meant to be” moment," she said.

Currently, she is looking forward to a weeklong Art Retreat in Ireland with Pauline Agnew.

"My goal is to take the drama of Ireland's landscape and bring it somehow into my portraits or figures. I probably won’t paint rocks but who knows," she teased.

O'Shea is not shy about sharing all the knowledge she has gained. Some classes are affordable for most, you can catch them on sale too. Ranges $50-$150 for the most part. Some have live components, all have a social media component which is gold. She Facetimes with people from all over the world, it’s been her saving grace.

Currently, she has completed a few hundred pieces,, with one sale under belt.

"I did sell one for a nickel to my son (Dillon), a tiny oil and cold wax on wooden panel of the ocean, his favorite thing. I have had offers to buy from my friends and a few artists in Europe and Canada but I haven’t sold any yet. If I ever do I want it to be a “real” sale. Someone who doesn’t know me at all, walks up and has to have it. That would be cool," O'Shea said.

She is open and honest about what her painting goals are for herself.

"I love a good challenge and if I live the rest of my days with the hope of someday having a painting of mine grace those soaring walls (at The Providence Art Club) that speak if you listen closely, it will continue to be a life of following my joy and finding my own voice," she said.

O'Shea is also a proud member of the Wickford Art Association.