Meet Susan Vizvary | Photographer and Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan Vizvary and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Born and raised a true valley girl from Encino, California I have pretty much not moved too far from where I came. Maybe that’s one reason I enjoy traveling so much. Growing up I lived a very normal life. Family, friends, schooling…I loved to be active outside but in the evenings, like most other families, we would watch TV. I instantly found myself more interested in the sets of each program than the program itself. I would ask myself “who picked out that couch?”, “How did they make those drapes in that color?”…and from there my love of interiors began. I often moved my furniture around my room just to see a new look. After graduating high school, I attended UCLA and studied interior design. My interests in set decorating didn’t wane so I found myself a job at a Prop House in Hollywood. Seemed liked the best place to meet working decorators. After 2 years, with the blessing of my bosses, I quit and took all my connections with me and started working as a set decorator for the next 10 years. I took some time off to start a family and shortly found myself needing to find some creative roots again.. This time, I went back to the other side of the camera and that became the start of my photography career. Having my camera with me feels like an extension of my eyes. I love to share what I see either in my travels or on my own street. The pandemic put a quick halt to all my shooting and therefore to my creative outlet. While sitting inside for the year, I found a way to recreate art from my images. I started to create digital abstracts from my original photography. The abstracts were full of color and they felt so positive during a time of so much uncertainty. I soon began to create different products such as barware, serving pieces and home decor all inlayed with my newly created abstracts. From there SVP@Home was born!!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think my art is unique because of how it is created. I start with one of my original photographs and then digitally manipulate it to make one of a kind abstract art pieces. Its like repurposing art!! Im really excited about the feedback I have received from my new works of art. I have been able to produce my new abstract art in to hanging pieces on art paper, metal, and acrylic in addition to my barware line. I also have home decor lines all with my original abstract art on them. It’s been a bit of a challenge going from a creative person to a business minded person. Often, those 2 don’t go hand in hand. I have learned about websites, e-commerce, shipping, billing, inventory…and the list goes on and on. At the moment, I wear a lot of hats to run my business. 2020 was a very rough year for all of us. Im excited that I was able to make something out of how difficult it was.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If an out of town guest comes to visit, one of our first stops is always Malibu. The beach is a must for the start of any week. Malibu has great beaches that aren’t too crowded. I love to walk up and down the sand and, of course, try to get a peek inside of the beautiful homes that line the area. From there a stop to the Malibu Country Mart for a lunch. Howdys is a favorite go to for their famous Sushi Burritos. The next couple of days would be taken up hiking on all of the wonderful trails through the Santa Monica Mountains. I always feel so lucky to live near all those trails!! No trip to LA would be complete without visiting LACMA. Even if we don’t go inside, between the Lights at the entrance or even the outside view of the Peterson Automotive Museum are both worth driving over there for!! I used to love taking guests to the Anenberg Museum of Photography but unfortunately they closed during covid. I would then finish off the week with a trip downtown the the DTLA area. All the restaurants and galleries and shops are so fun to go visit!!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s interesting to look back at your life and see who was influential and at what stage. My parents always supported my love for design. Ive had bosses and mentors who encouraged me to move up to the next phases in my career. My photo teacher and photo group bring out the most creativity in me and my husband and kids are always my biggest cheerleaders to succeed in my business endeavors. I don’t think I would be where I am today without any of these people on my journey with me…And for that I am so grateful!!

Website: www.svpathome.com

Instagram: svp_at_home

Linkedin: Susan Vizvary

Facebook: SVP at Home