About Susanne Ball

Born in the Virgin Islands and raised in Colorado, Hawai’i-based artist Susanne Ball was always inspired by nature and her surrounding elements. She began painting at the age of 11 while growing up on a farm in Colorado. With no access to TV, she spent her time wandering the fields and painting the dramatic landscapes. She graduated from UC Santa Cruz and began her career painting wildlife on ceramics in Bellingham, WA. Her love for painting on canvas was born painting in a tulip field — she prayed to God to show her she was on the right path, and someone came up to her and bought the painting on the spot. She moved to O’ahu in 2002. She often retreated to the white sand beaches of Hawai’i, staring at the turquoise water, or hiking into the mountains to paint the lush tropical jungle and waterfalls.

Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and has been on display in upscale art galleries throughout California, Hawaii, and Washington. Her pieces have been purchased by individuals living in Japan, Europe, and throughout North America. Susanne's portfolio includes many original pieces, all hand brushed on canvas using acrylic paint.

Susanne died at home in Kailua on December 4, with her mother and sister holding her hand. She was 57. She fought for 10 years against Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer. She refused to believe her cancer was incurable and moved mountains to survive. Ever-cheerful despite immense pain, she was a source of inspiration and joy to her friends, her family, and her community. She was a testament to choosing happiness. She embodied authenticity and chased her dreams with tenacity. She was like her artwork - bright, vibrant, bold, colorful, and all about nature. She celebrated life with every breath and brushstroke.

Susanne’s vibrant legacy lives on in our memories and in her artwork. She was a committed, engaged and doting mother to her Son, Johann. She is survived by her son Johann and daugter-in-law Jamaica; her mother Birgit and her sister Barbara.

Susanne held a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of California in Santa Cruz, and also attended classes at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco. She has traveled throughout Italy and many other European countries, India and Africa studying art, refining her technique, and helping those who are less fortunate by painting murals and donating her time to improve their surroundings.

Susanne's favorite job was raising her now adult son Johann. She spent his younger years coaching youth soccer and volunteering at his school, lending her time to organize school-wide art projects, and helping kids to develop their own personal love for expressing themselves through art.

For more information about Susanne Ball and her work, please call 808-454-7990 or send an e-mail to SusanneBallArt@gmail.com