Self-taught artist Susan Davis (Born 1948) had a career that spanned over 25 years. She’s known for works that include formal oils, book and magazine illustration, detailed watercolors, murals, and pastel drawings that are highly evocative. Being self-taught means she had control over her technique and style. That’s why she produced unique pieces of art. Outside of her work Susan was most proud of her murals. Over her last eight years she spent the bulk of her time creating, executing and installing historical murals and large paintings for clients in New York, Washington, and San Francisco. These were mainly privately commissioned. In June, 1998 she held an exhibition that was retrospective and was one of the most successful and eagerly received shows of its kind. Her corporate patrons included the Los Angeles Times, The Honeywell Corporation, MCI, the Toyota Corporation, Foundation for Critical Care, the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, Suntory of Japan, the Willard Hotel, American Express, The Washington Post Company and the Wolf Trap Farm Park for the Performing Arts.
Over the course of her work, she illustrated nine children’s books, including The Party and The Dinosaur Who Lived in My Backyard; both are best sellers. In 1993, she was contracted to execute the official Presidential Inauguration image which was to be used for limited edition prints to be distributed throughout the world to friends and colleagues, officials, and also as posters for the national celebration. Susan’s illustrations appeared in Museum & Arts, Washingtonian magazine, New Yorker, Yankee magazine, The Washington Post, Italian Elle magazine, America Illustrated, among other books and magazines worldwide. Susan died on December 20, 1999.
