About Susan Szabo
Susan Szabo’s skilled use of colorful hues in elegant compositions has become her trademark as an artist. She is renowned for her ability to capture the essence of Hawaii’s nature and people in a personal palette of colors that expresses the spirit of her subjects. She is inspired by the power of the land, the ocean and all of nature, as well as the energy of Hawaii’s people.
She has been a feature artist for Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines, and she was the cover artist for Hawaii’s 1998/1999 phone directories. She has a highly enthusiastic following, with her paintings and fine art prints included in collections throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Australia and Europe. Susan’s formal art education included studies at the Ontario College of Art, and Central Technical School in Toronto, Canada. She lives in the town of Kailua on the island of Oahu, with her husband Steve and their dog Frankie.
Susan Szabo’s Achievements
1997 – 1999: Hawaiian Airlines Feature Artist
In several 3-month periods from 1997 to 1999, Susan was a feature artist for Hawaiian Airlines. For these promotions, her paintings appeared on entertainment guide covers and first class menus and she was profiled in the Hawaiian Airlines in-flight video program
1998/1999: Cover Artist, Hawaii Phone Books
Susan was selected from hundreds of artists to paint the image for Hawaii’s 1998/1999 phone directory covers, with 1.4 Million phone books distributed throughout all the islands.
2000: “A Beautiful Hawaiian Day” children’s book with Paintings by Susan Szabo
The children’s book entitled “A Beautiful Hawaiian Day”, by renowned singer/songwriter and author, Henry Kapono, is illustrated entirely with paintings by Susan.
2001: WINNER OF 3 AWARDS:
“A Beautiful Hawaiian Day”, children’s book by Henry Kapono
Paintings by Susan Szabo
The 2001 Ka Palapala Po‘okela Awards
(Annual Hawaii Book Publishers Assoc. Awards)
Winner: Children’s Hawaiian Culture
Honorable Mention: Children’s Illustrative or Photographic Book
Honorable Mention: Technical Category, Illustration (All Books)
2001: Aloha Airlines Cover Artist
Susan was selected to be the 2001 cover artist for Aloha Airlines’ timetable covers. A new timetable, with a new cover painting was published 4 times through the year.
2004: Contributor to the Geckos In Paradise fundraising project.
50 artists in Hawaii were invited to each paint one of 50 fiberglass geckos measuring 5 feet in length. The painted geckos were auctioned to raise awareness and funding for the Kapiolani Breast Center and Breast Cancer Research. Susan’s gecko, pictured here, was called “Kalo Mo‘o” and was purchased by American Savings Bank for $10,000.
On Sept. 26, 2004, “Geckos in Paradise” was viewed at a reception on the lawn of the Hawaii State Art Museum.
2006: Commissioned Acrylic Painting Set
Susan was commissioned to paint a 32 foot tall set of Acrylic paintings installed on 2 walls, wrapping around a corner, in Kailua Town Center. She painted 9 canvases, each 60 inches tall and 40 inches wide. This acrylic set can be seen behind windows, behind the fountain in Kailua Town Square.
