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

Hi Susie, how do you define success?
For me success is defined two ways- one is being recognized in my community and being sought after by individuals and companies for my work. Secondly, I believe that Art is an integral part of society and it is a great accomplishment  being one of the voices that represents it. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Commissions keep me extremely busy nowadays.  People requesting works of their loved ones is the ultimate compliment I can receive. The original collection I wanted to have by now, has been pushed to later this year because of the demand for my portraits.  I’ve also been working on illustrations for a couple of books and collaborating on body paintings.

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?
I grew up in LA but now live in Dallas but go back to LA at least once a month for my work. So if I was bringing my friend to LA these would be the must not miss places…

Hike up Aliso Canyon
Brunch at one of my favorite places, the Egg Plantation
Dinner at Cacao Mexicatessen in Eagle Rock.
Breakfast at the Pantry ( the bacon there is amazing!)
Shop at the alleys in DTLA
Grand Central Market for all kinds of international food!!
Visit my mural inside the EY Building on 7th and Fig.
Definitely have drinks at Perch!!
Picnic at Griffith Park
Go up to the observatory of course.
Dinner at Farfalla Trattoria
Dessert at the House of Pies.
Breakfast at Urth Cafe in Beverly Hills, Getty Museum
Window shop on Melrose
Drive to the boardwalk on Venice Beach Dinner at Nighthawks
L&L Hawaiian in Redondo Beach.
My fave beach is Palos Verdes beach. Drive up to Marina Del Rey and watch the sunset at one of my fave places, Killer Shrimp
Coffee n pastries from Porto’s in Burbank
Visit the Aquarium in the LBC
walk around downtown LB
Lunch at Saint & Second
Promenade for dinner and drinks at The Ordinaire
Visit the Norton Simon
Lunch at Great Maple in Pasadena
Walk around the Huntington Library
Dinner at Din Tai Fung in Arcadia.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ever since I was a child I was always drawing, I don’t think I ever wanted to be anything else but an artist. My parents always encouraged my creativity. I was never guided away from it as many other people are. I just needed the right tools to succeed. When the opportunity presented itself to learn fine art and teach it, I jumped at it. It was the best decision of my life. I met the most wonderful, caring, talented artist I would ever meet and I was lucky that he became my mentor and help shape my career as an artist. Larry Gluck was an artist, educator and founder of The Gluck Method. The method teaches people the basics of fine art. These basics were my foundation. They taught me what I needed to know in order to find myself and gave me the confidence to develop my style of painting. Once I had these basics I was able to experiment with new mediums and can communicate clearly with my heART. Larry taught me so much about art and also about life. His influence became a pivotal point in my life. I was a bit lost and discouraged but with his guidance, patience and love I was able to find my way and develop the confidence in art that is the corner stone of who I am as an artist and person now.

Website: Sooztheartist.com
Instagram: Sooztheartist
Linkedin: Susie Cortez
Twitter: Sooztheartist
Facebook: Sooztheartist
Youtube: Sooztheartist

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