About the Artist

Susie Varner captures the spirit of the American West through a lens of lifelong devotion and quiet observation. Born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, as the seventh of ten children, Susie found her sanctuary in art. In a bustling two-bedroom household, a pencil and scrap paper provided a rare moment of solace, allowing her to sit still and focus—a feat only achieved when she was creating.

Though she is primarily self-taught, Susie’s foundations were built by studying the masters of the genre, copying the works of Charles Russell and Frederic Remington as a child. This early education evolved into a sophisticated practice involving oils, acrylics, and watercolors. Her work strikes a unique balance between traditional realism and a modern, simplistic style characterized by bold pops of color.

Now based in Edmond, Oklahoma, after spending most of her adult life in Texas, Susie draws daily inspiration from her rural surroundings and her own horses. Her career is highlighted by her 2019 commission for Art in Public Places in Rockwall, Texas, where she designed a five-foot fiberglass guitar that remains a landmark in the historic downtown square. She has been featured in notable publications such as Twenty-five Dallas Women Artists and New Beginnings, and is an active leader in the arts community, currently serving as the Artists Demo Chairman for the Edmond Art Association.