Susannah Orpwood

Biography

Born in Redhill, Surrey (UK) in 1983, Susannah developed a connection with horses at an early stage of life after being taken for her first pony ride at the age of Two.

Over the Years, she has worked in the Equine Industry throughout the UK, Barbados, Canada and on the Island of Mustique (St Vincent and The Grenadines).

Susannah moved to Barbados in her early teens and taught horse riding alongside working as a Freelance Racehorse Exercise Rider for various trainers including French Trainer Jean Louis Beuzelin and Local Trainer Robert Pierce. Much of her work was dedicated to backing and bringing on young thoroughbreds owned by Sir David Seale.

From here, she moved to the Island of Mustique teaching private and group sessions to high profile clientele alongside management and leading trail rides and tours of the Island.

Before moving back to the UK, Susannah spent time as a Freelance Riding Instructor in Stouffville Ontario (Canada).

After her return to the UK she rode for Bill Smith on Thoroughbreds (various owners), Arabs owned by Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Smith’s personal hunt horses.

Having been surrounded by perfect equine subjects to study, Susannah maintained steady growth of her ability with the paint brush over the Years, quietly oil painting on the side and doing private commissions upon request.

Today, Susannah is based in The UK and chooses to focus her attention on portraying these beautiful creatures through art. She is a highly skilled Oil Painting Artist with a recognisable
style, an eye for colour, light and contrast which creates a ‘richness’ and ‘depth’ in her work.

Specific about the images that she chooses to work from, Susannah prefers to meet and photograph her subjects personally. Spending time with the horse allows her to capture their personality, energy and unique traits. She may also wish to do some life studies for reference.

Capturing these details, allows Susannah to create an accurate portrayal of the whole horse not just the aesthetics of the horse.

If you have any questions regarding commissions, original art available for sale, or prints, please contact Susannah directly:

orpwoodfineart@gmail.com +44 (0) 7765 337754