Art

ART

Like many of us in 2020, I suddenly had some extra time on my hands—and watercolor painting splashed into my life.

What began as a quiet outlet blossomed into a passion, sparking friendships, fueling creativity and giving me the joy of sharing art that spreads a little light.

I now see the world through watercolor eyes and it has never looked more beautiful to me.

Contact Suzanne

Like many of us in 2020, I suddenly had some extra time on my hands—and watercolor painting splashed into my life.

What began as a quiet outlet blossomed into a passion, sparking friendships, fueling creativity and giving me the joy of sharing art that spreads a little light.

I now see the world through watercolor eyes and it has never looked more beautiful to me.

Contact Suzanne

Outside the Lines Series

My Outside the Lines series takes vintage postcards and reimagines the world beyond their edges, transforming each one into a full watercolor scene that blends history, story and imagination.

You can choose from:

• My collection – I house a large variety of vintage postcards from many places and eras.

• Your postcards – I can transform postcards you’d like to preserve into custom art.

Outside the Lines artwork is displayed on a custom rack and rotating base, as seen below.

This allows it to be viewed from both front and back. The rack and base are included as integral parts of the piece.

Postcards can be either:

• Already posted, with a handwritten message, or

• Blank on the back, ready to be personalized for any special occasion.

Bessie's Wish

Artist: Suzanne VanOver
Medium: Multi Media
Card Date: 1910

Around 1910, Bessie Harshbarger of Centre Hall, PA, bought a penny postcard depicting a schooner by a rocky shore. The manufacturer had titled the card “I Wish I Was Rich.” She addressed it to Nellie Bible, who lived about a mile away in Spring Mills, and wrote “I wish I was” on the front and simply, “from your friend, Bessie Harshbarger” on the back.

She likely delivered it to Nellie’s mailbox herself.

My Dear Old Hudson

Artist: Suzanne VanOver
Medium: Multi Media
Card Date: June 1, 1900

On June 1, 1900, this radiant postcard—depicting a sunrise over the Hudson River’s wooded shores north of West Point, with a steamship gliding in the distance—was mailed from Philadelphia’s Middle City Station to Mrs. George V. Baird on posh Delancey Street. It evokes a traveler’s fond sigh for “my dear old New York,” penned on the front.

This tender card captures nostalgia for the Hudson’s timeless beauty.

Wisconsin Is Swell

Artist: Suzanne VanOver
Medium: Multi Media
Card Date: August 21, 1946

In August 1946, Maurice and Niel mailed this this postcard from Genoa City, WI, its calm lake scene with a rowboat and birch trees evoking a summer haven. Sent to Ken Sheldon in Hawthorne, NJ, it carries their note, “we have arrived at Bill and Niolas place everything went swell pop,” sharing news of a smooth road trip to a family reunion.

This card captures the joy of post-war kinship in a lakeside retreat.

Cottage of Kindness

Artist: Suzanne VanOver
Medium: Multi Media
Card Date: November 9, 1932

This hand-painted postcard, addressed to 18-year-old Miss Dorothy Armstrong in Warwick, NY, depicts a serene garden framed by a white picket fence. Postmarked November 9, 1932, it carries a heartfelt birthday message: “May you have a happy birthday and help give someone else one. If you will put in the Sunday School Kentucky box one penny for each year of your age it will help educate a child in Kentucky. Wouldn’t you like a share in that?”

Likely sent to Dorothy, a young woman possibly assisting with family or community duties in Depression-era Warwick, this card reflects both pastoral charm and a call to support Appalachian education, a popular charity of the time.

Each piece shown above is an original. I work with vintage postcards from around the world to create one-of-a-kind watercolor artworks.

Brushes with Nature Series

Reflecting my deep love of the outdoors, using watercolor to capture the spirit of nature and the joyful connection it inspires.

"Sunpatti's Sunflower"

BWN001

(Limited Edition Prints Available)

"Harvest's Rest"

BWN002

(Limited Edition Prints Available)