ARTIST MEMBER Rhea Sutter

Rhea Sutter is a local portrait artist who was born in New York City and raised on Long Island. After graduating with a BFA from Queens College, Rhea got her certificate in Art Therapy and worked at two nursing homes in NewYork and one in West Hartford, CT in the 1970’s.

In the 1980’s, Rhea became a full time mom, but she stayed involved in the arts with The Ellington Junior Women’s Club. Later when her children were in school she became a long term substitute teacher for the art teachers in South Windsor and surrounding towns in the 80’s and 90’s.

After becoming a Docent at The New Britain Museum of Art in 2003; introducing children and adults to the great artists and artworks in that collection, I was inspired to try my hand at drawing and painting again. As a child and in my teens I was always drawing people, so it was natural for me to share my interest in others and it remains that way in my old age.

After taking classes and workshops at the museum and at ACE in Vernon and joining Tolland County Artists Association and Manchester Art Association, I decided to attend The Sandra Wakeen Atelier in Somers, CT. There I received classical Atelier training for around 4years and discovered my talent for painting portraits. When I began to enter my work into juried shows, I began to win awards for my portraits of children and pets not only in local shows but in Milford, CT, where my pastel portrait of a toddler took a first prize. It has been a long rewarding journey in the arts and I plan to continue to enjoy the local art scene and to keep painting for those I know who will enjoy my art.