Susie Lowe, aka Suzko, is a 25 year old artist specializing in portraiture and figurative work. Most of her inspiration is drawn from the city, urban life and street art.

Suzko tells Newestra, “Other urban artists inspire me, graffiti artists, manga and also traditional art forms; the renaissance period and the old school Italian masters. I usually work from photographs. It is easy just to do a straight copy of a photograph but the fun for me is finding that unique quality in each individual and being able to portray that. For the last year I have been experimenting with a new style. I have been using posca pens on canvas primarily used by graffiti artists, which creates a poster, pop art feel in bright fluro colours.”

Baby and Tash

Girlie

‘Baby and Tash’ and ‘Girlie’: Posca pen and acrylic on canvas, 2009
‘Baby and Tash’ is taken from a photograph of my grandfather (long gone), holding me as a baby and ‘Girlie’ is a portrait of my dying grandmother in her youth. Both of these were particularly affecting to paint. It is often easier and essentially more powerful when you have an emotional connection to the subject.

Peals

Squint

‘Peals’ and ‘Squint’: Posca pen and acrylic on canvas, 2009
These were the first two portraits I did in this style.

Nude

‘Nude’: Posca pen and oils on canvas, 2010
The first of a series of nudes I will be doing.

Urban Hunter

Fixie Rider

‘Fixie Rider’ and ‘Urban Hunter’: Posca pen and acrylic on canvas, 2009
Having been born and bred in London, it’s not surprising that two of my main influences are urban trends and subcultures. It has become increasingly evident that the latest craze around town is bike riding but not only that, fixed gear bikes. The courier scene has also become very fashionable and this is what motivated me to paint these two works.

View her portfolio here!