The Story Behind the Name
Welcome to the world of Suzy Pepper, where colour, texture, imagination and a little mischief come together to create art with personality.
People often ask where the name Suzy Pepper comes from. It combines two things that are very much part of me: my grandma was called Suzy—short for Susannah—and Pepper is a family name. As a child, I longed to be called Suzy Pepper! Add my lifelong love of anything with a little heat and spice, and the name felt playful, nostalgic and full of character—exactly how I like my art to be.
But Suzy Pepper is about far more than a name. It is about curiosity, seeing possibility in the ordinary and finding joy in colour, texture and the wonderfully unexpected.
Yorkshire Roots, Endless Inspiration
Although I have lived in Kent for more than 40 years, Yorkshire has always remained my spiritual home. Today, I divide my time between Yorkshire, Kent and the Lake District. Each is awe-inspiring, and each influences my work in a different way.
I find endless inspiration in coastlines, landscapes, nature, art, pop culture and history. A walk might spark a new piece through a collection of shells, the colours of the moors, sea or sky, a lyric I hear or something someone says.
Many of my mixed-media artworks grow from these experiences. Layers of texture, metallic highlights and imagined scenes come together to capture not just a place, but a feeling.
A Lifelong Creator
I have always been a maker. I am happiest when I am creating, experimenting and learning something new. One of the things I love most about creativity is that there are no rules: every material, object or idea has potential.
That spirit of exploration has led me along many creative paths. I make:
Mixed media coastal and landscape art
Oyster shell candles and ornaments
Masquerade masks, from dramatic and theatrical to light-hearted and whimsical
Decoupaged mannequins inspired by icons, stories and popular culture
Upcycled furniture with a completely new personality
Characterful animal artwork
If something can be transformed or reimagined, I am interested. Some of my favourite projects begin with the question, “What could this become?”—or, more often, with my inner Yorkshire lass declaring, “I can make that!”
Art That Makes You Smile
One thing you will quickly discover is that I do not take myself—or my art—too seriously. I love humour, wordplay and creating pieces that make people laugh, smile or look twice.
My growing collection of characterful sheep is a perfect example. From Baa Baa Gabor to Rock the Kas-baa, each one celebrates the joy of imagination and the fun hidden in everyday life. If you were a sheep, which famous character would you be?
For me, art does not always have to be profound. Sometimes it is enough that it brightens your day.
Inspired by Stories and Icons
I am endlessly inspired by people and stories that dare to be different: Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, David Bowie and Frida Kahlo. Their confidence, individuality and self-expression resonate deeply with me.
I am also drawn to stories that captured my imagination as a child. Alice in Wonderland remains a favourite and has inspired many of my larger statement pieces and creative experiments.
These influences find their way into my work in unexpected forms—through furniture, mannequins, mixed-media pieces and decorative objects.
Creating Together
Of all the things I make, some of my greatest joy comes from creating with another person. There is something magical about a conversation becoming a piece of art.
Whether someone brings me a memory, a favourite place, a beloved pet, a treasured story or simply a feeling they want to capture, I love the collaborative process of bringing that idea to life. No two commissions are ever the same—and that is exactly how I like it.
The most rewarding moment is seeing a finished piece reflect not only my creativity, but also the personality and story of the person who inspired it.
Why Art Matters
Before becoming an artist and maker, I trained and worked as a nurse, and I am proud still to work for the NHS today. Those experiences have taught me a great deal about people, resilience and what truly matters.
I have seen life’s difficulties, but also the extraordinary power of simple pleasures: a beautiful object, a cherished memory, a favourite colour or a home filled with things that make you smile. I genuinely believe that choosing something special for your home, your garden or yourself can be an act of self-care.
In a world that can feel busy, complicated and constantly changing, surrounding ourselves with beauty, joy and meaning matters. That belief inspires everything I create.
Welcome to My World
Whether you found me through a love of art, dramatic masks, quirky sheep, transformed furniture or simply the joy of the unexpected, I am delighted you are here.
Suzy Pepper is a celebration of colour, character, creativity, humour and connection. There are no trends to follow and no rules about what belongs together. If something makes you smile, sparks a memory or tells your story, then it is exactly where it belongs.
Take a look around, discover the pieces that speak to you and follow along as the world of Suzy Pepper continues to grow.
Colour. Character. Conversation.
And always a little bit of spice. 🌶️