ABOUT SUSAN:
Her evocative artwork, which delves into themes of femininity, sexuality, and food, has been showcased in numerous gallery exhibitions. With a sharp eye for shape, color, and the layering of surfaces and textures, she continuously captivates audiences.
Recently, her painting "Circe" was featured in a group show at Bill Arning Exhibitions in Kinderhook, NY (June 2025). This piece belongs to her "Witches, Goddesses, Corsets, and Bustles" series, exploring the intersection of mythology, nature, and the feminine experience through mixed-media paintings, graphite drawings, and hand-built ceramics and sculptures.
Her paintings; "The Three Corsets," also part of this series, were showcased in the NYC gallery event “On the Verge” at the Wild Project (March 2024). These playful works combine elements of painting, oil pastels, gold leaf, found objects, and collage.
In spring 2023, her ceramics were included in the group show “Eat It” at the Collar Works Arts Organization in Troy, NY.
Susan co-wrote and illustrated "The Green Witch’s Guide to Magical Plants & Flowers" (Skyhorse Publishing, June 2023), contributing her artwork and developing the vegan recipes featured in the book. Additionally, she wrote and illustrated "Flower Parade" and "Miss Melancholy" (2019).
With a BFA in Painting and Illustration from The Philadelphia College of Art, Susan studied at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, and the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.
Susan is also the lead singer of the band Book of Love, known as one of the prominent new wave bands of the 1980s. The band released five albums for Warner Bros. Records.
You can find Susan’s art on Instagram at @susanottavianoart or reach her at info@susanottaviano.com (mailto:info@susanottaviano.com).info@susanottaviano.com