Sue was born and educated in South Africa, and made her home in East Cork in 2000. After a career in teaching both children and adults, a period designing corporate marketing material, and some years running an art gallery, in 2012 she set up her studio in Ladysbridge in order to paint full time. Her studio is located close to woodlands, and she enjoys daily walks in the woods, along country roads and on local beaches, where she draws her inspiration from the natural world. Her paintings commonly feature birds, insects, flowers, rural landscapes or seascapes. Her medium is always watercolour, although sometimes with the addition of acrylic inks and gold leaf.

Sue has been a member of the Water Colour Society of Ireland since 2013, and has exhibited regularly with the society, in Dublin, Waterford and County Clare. 

Since 2014 her floral paintings have been included each year in the Bloom Exhibitions of Botanical and Floral Art in the Phoenix Park; she has been awarded numerous medals, including Gold and Silver Gilt. Her floral paintings have also been included in the exhibitions of the Society of Botanical Artists in Westminster (2017), at the Mall Galleries in London (2019) and online. 

Since 2003 she has held several successful solo exhibitions in county Cork, and has participated in numerous group exhibitions and art fairs around Ireland; her paintings have found homes in countries around the world.

In 2016 Sue was commissioned to paint two bird paintings for the RSPB nature conservation charity’s Christmas card range.

Sue enjoys sharing her passion for watercolour. She has demonstrated for social groups and art societies, and runs workshops and classes. In recent times, she has taught online via Zoom, and these classes are supported by supplementary Youtube videos. 

Email: sue@vancoppenhagen.com

Website: https://www.suevancoppenhagen.com