Surrounded in her home and studio by the Indian artifacts she collects and paints, Sue Krzyston believes these objects represent the “soul” of the people who create them. She says, “I strive to capture that soul on canvas. I want to take something alive, something from the earth, and make them become alive in my still life paintings.” A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this gifted painter took a few art classes in high school. But a career outside the art world diverted her attention for many years. Finally, in 1982, Sue decided to take a painting class. It was a life-changing decision. “I was driven from the first time I started painting.” Within one year her teacher felt she was ready for competition.

Krzyston submitted slides of her work to the prestigious George Phippen Memorial Art Show and was accepted, as she’s been every year since. At her first show she sold seven paintings. Within four years she had won a Silver Medal at the Phippen show, followed by a Gold medal in 1991 and another Silver in 1992.

Now a full-time artist, Sue says, “I still feel pure joy when I’m painting. I have loved since my first class and I have no desire to do anything different. I love choosing the way things go together, how colors mesh and compliment each other.”