Commission a Unique Painting for Christmas
Two Highland Cows, perfect gift from him to her (or vice versa)
If you’ve ever thought about giving the gift of original art, now is the perfect time to plan ahead. My commission diary is now open for Christmas, but in order to allow enough time for the painting process - and for safe delivery internationally - I will be taking Christmas commissions only until the end of October.
I work in oil on canvas, using thick, expressive textures and vibrant colours that bring each subject to life. From intimate 30 x 40 cm pieces to statement works up to 100 x 120 cm, each commission is tailored to your vision while still carrying my signature style. Oils have a rich, tactile quality that makes every painting completely unique - a one-of-a-kind gift that will be treasured for years to come.
Whether you’re looking for a portrait of a beloved animal, a dramatic wildlife piece, or one of my Highland Cows in your own colour scheme, we’ll collaborate to create something meaningful and full of character.
Ordering early ensures your artwork has time to be painted, dried, and carefully packaged for delivery - so it’s ready to be unwrapped at Christmas.
If you’d like to discuss a commission, please get in touch soon -I’d love to create something special for you.
Bold, and Untamed – My 30 x 40” Highland Cow in Oil
“Ballantine” Original Oil Painting in a dining room setting. 30 × 40 “ canvas
“Ballantine” Original Oil Painting
At 30 x 40 inches, this painting has real presence. It’s large enough to anchor a dining room, lounge, or entryway, a real talking point.
For collectors, it represents an investment in joy, in colour, and in a connection to the Highland Cow, that resonates far beyond the canvas.
There’s something about Highland cows that makes them irresistible to paint. Their gentle strength, flowing coats, and almost comical fringes carry a sense of both character and majesty. They embody the soul of the countryside - wild, weathered, yet undeniably beautiful.
This 30 x 40” original oil painting is one of my boldest interpretations yet. I leaned into rich, vibrant colour, using brushstrokes that bring energy and movement to the canvas. Rather than aiming for realism alone, I wanted to capture the spirit of the animal, that quiet resilience, and of course, the playful chaos of the hair.
Hung in a modern space, the painting becomes an immediate focal point. The vivid hues of magenta, turquoise, orange, and deep violet make the cow almost glow against a simple backdrop, transforming the mood of the room. It’s a piece that doesn’t just decorate a wall – it uplifts it, bringing a touch of the Scottish Highlands into daily life.
Highland cows are a subject close to my heart. Over the years, they’ve become one of my most collected themes, with buyers often telling me that the paintings bring them joy, a smile, or even a sense of calm. There’s something universal about their charm as they feel familiar yet extraordinary, rustic yet luxurious, humorous yet dignified.
Bringing Original Fine Art From My Studio to Collectors in the USA
“Crowned in Colour” original oil painting 60 × 90 cm
For U.S. collectors, it may be reassuring to know that original fine art is generally exempt from tariffs, so you can acquire an authentic piece directly from my studio without added customs costs. Every artwork is a one-of-a-kind original, signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, carefully packaged, fully insured, and shipped directly to your door, ready to hang.
Whether you are looking to enhance a modern city apartment, a coastal retreat, or a mountain lodge, my paintings are created to bring warmth, vitality, and elegance into your space. Collectors in the USA are warmly invited to explore my available originals. If a painting speaks to you, it is ready to begin its journey from my easel to your home.
A home is transformed by original art. The right painting does more than fill a wall, it sets the tone of a space, creating an atmosphere that speaks of individuality, refinement, and taste. An original oil painting carries depth and texture that no print can ever capture, becoming a focal point that draws the eye and invites conversation.
My work is collected internationally, and I am proud that many of my pieces now live in homes across the United States. Collectors often tell me they were drawn to the richness of colour, the sense of movement, and the soulful presence of the animals and birds I paint. For some, there is also a special connection to Britain itself — the Highland cows, stags, and native birds that feature in my paintings often stir memories of family roots, heritage, or a love of all things British.
Lovely big cow, now with a collector in Las Vegas
An Autumn Colour Story…
Original Oil paintings: Ballantine (Highland Cow), Crowned in Colour (Deer) Verdi (Rabbit) and Silent Light (Barn Owl)
The Melbourne festival was buzzing, and I was so encouraged by the interest and conversations these paintings sparked. They very nearly went home as a set! For me, moments like this are what make exhibiting so rewarding: watching people connect not just with a painting, but with the energy between two works when they are viewed alongside each other.
If you’d like to see more of my animal paintings, you can explore my collections online here
Paint a Highland Cow:The Original Colourful Cow Workshops
This is such a popular workshop, I have added two spaces to my Autumn date, but that will be the lot, we will paint a veritable herd of cows! So I have now scheduled a new date for next year: See all of my available events here.
My art workshops are very easy-going and beginner-friendly. I give heaps of help and step-by-step guidance. I have been joined by everyone from total beginners all the way through to professional artists - everyone gets something different from these fun painting days, whether it's new techniques, or just a chance to relax away from it all.
Natures Blooms and Woods
A new selection of stunning nature paintings
You might have noticed a new page of available originals that I added this week. The paintings shown here are a curated selection of woodland and floral pieces. Many are new to the website, some are in other collections but tie in to the nature theme. I have collected them together to make it easier for collectors to find what they are looking for😊
https://suegardnerstudio.com/natures-blooms-woods
Rainbow Highland Cow Painting: New!
“Home of the authentic colourful Highland Cows — first painted here, now collected around the world.”
“Home of the authentic colourful Highland Cows first painted here, now collected around the world.”
This beauty is now available on my website!
New Highland Cow Oil Painting
“Home of the authentic colourful Highland Cows — first painted here, now collected around the world.”
Talisker is a new large Scottish Highland Cow portrait, in rich warm whisky- distillery browns and golds. The lighting effects within the piece are eye catching and stunning.
Strathendrick : New Rainbow Highland Cow
Strathendrick – Where Landscape Meets Highland Spirit
Nestled within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park lies the Strathendrick valley, a place of winding rivers, rolling hills and quiet grazing herds. It’s here that the Highland cow feels most at home – a gentle giant standing proud against the backdrop of Scotland’s wild beauty.
My painting, Strathendrick, was born from that atmosphere – a blend of rugged landscape and vibrant life. With tousled hair and a burst of contemporary colour, this Highland Cow artwork brings the spirit of the glen straight into your home.
Printed on fine art canvas and available in both framed and unframed options, each piece is lovingly crafted in a professional print lab local to you, ensuring a museum-quality finish and sustainable shipping.
👇 Bring a touch of Highland magic to your walls:
The Properties of Oil Paint
What Is Oil Paint?
Oil paint is a traditional and incredibly enduring medium in which pigments are suspended in oil. These pigments are often finely ground powders made from natural earth minerals, or in some cases, synthetic compounds.
One of my favourites, Quinacridone, is man-made and gloriously vivid. So durable that it was first developed for car paint before finding its way onto artists’ palettes. Others, like Lapis Lazuli or ochres, have been used for centuries and have fascinating stories behind them.
Each pigment is priced differently, depending on things like rarity, sourcing, and production methods- some are expensive, while others are more accessible. The oil component (typically linseed, safflower, poppyseed, or walnut) acts as a binder, holding the pigment together and allowing it to adhere to the canvas.
Textures build uniqueness and interest
Here are a couple of close-up images from my painting Verdant Blaze. You can see how the colour and texture work together to create a rich, tactile surface. If you'd like to see more, drop me a message, I’d be happy to share.
Lime, Veridian and Scarlet dancing on the canvas
As the oil slowly dries, it leaves behind a rich, stable colour that can remain vibrant for hundreds of years. It’s one of the reasons a well-made oil painting, cared for properly, can outlast generations.
One of the qualities I love most about oil paint is its luminosity. The colours stay saturated and true. So the painting you see is exactly as I intended it. The texture of the brushwork allows light to interact with the surface in endlessly interesting ways. As the light changes through the day, so does the painting, a subtle shift that adds a kind of living presence to the work. Picture lighting can also enhance or stabilise this effect, depending on your preference.
If you take a close look at an oil painting, you’ll often notice delicate colour striations within the brushstrokes. This is because oils give the artist time to blend and soften edges, or to layer multiple colours on the brush and mix directly on the canvas. The results are uniquely expressive and full of movement.
Dusk Tide - New Ocean- Inspired Painting
Part of my “ Dreaming in Coral” collection and inspired by dreamy Summer evenings and the hushed murmur of the faraway tide as it slowly makes its way up the beach in the deepening dusk…
“Dusk Tide” is gallery-wrapped, ie the paint goes around the sides, for a seamless look. Meaning the painting looks great without a frame.
Visitor Book - Leave Feedback for my Virtual Exhibition Here!
A corner of “ Dreaming in Coral”
Did you enjoy the show / Were there any particular favourite pieces? Is there anything you would like to see more of, next time? Please leave a comment here as I’d love to read your thoughts.
I'll link to the shows in case you haven’t seen them.
Kindred Spirits an uplifting online exhibition of expressive animal and bird paintings that celebrate our connection to the wild.
Dreaming in Coral a vibrant online exhibition of colourful, ocean-inspired paintings and abstracts.
You can teleport between exhibitions by clicking the swooping owl painting, titled ‘Liberty is Yours’.
Celestial Drift : A Coastal Sunset Inspired Addition
The colours in this new addition are breathtaking. This piece was inspired by a childhood memory of an evening on the South Western shores. The beauty has stayed with me forever, and is now appeating in some of my abstract paintings.
Silken Wave : A New Abstract Canvas
This stunning new ocean inspired canvas print is available in several sizes. Perfect for an easy-to-hang addition to a gallery wall or for a little corner that needs a splash of nature to bring it to life. Size up to 40” for a really big statement piece-breathtaking!
Check out “ Silken Wave “ here
https://suegardnerstudio.co.uk/products/silken-wave-canvas
New Arrival: Meet The Shrimp Pickers – A Joyful Flamingo Print
I’m delighted to share my latest canvas print release — The Shrimp Pickers. Inspired by the graceful, slightly comical ritual of flamingos feeding in the shallows, this painting is a celebration of colour, rhythm, and the gentle elegance of these beautiful birds.
I’ve always loved the way flamingos move together, heads dipped, legs in step, a little flock of bright coral-pink set against the cool blues of water and sky. There’s something both calming and playful about the scene.
Now available as a fine art canvas print, The Shrimp Pickers comes in a range of sizes to suit your space. Whether you’re looking for a standout feature in a living room, a splash of colour in a kitchen or dining space, or a vibrant pop in a hallway, this piece brings a touch of tropical charm and lightness to a room.
Each canvas is professionally printed and hand-stretched, with the option of a clean white edge or an image wrap for a seamless, contemporary finish. It’s designed to last, with rich colours and fine detail that stay vibrant for decades to come.
If you’re looking to bring a playful yet elegant energy to your home, The Shrimp Pickers might be just the piece.
Big Cats Painting Workshop July 27th
Book online and come along to my next painting day, on Sun 27th July. we are learning how to paint Big Cats! Paint a tiger or a lion, with my help and guidance all day. Meet other budding artists and have a really good day of laughing, chat , cake and painting. Its really fun. Youll take away your own unique painting on a canvas ready to hang.
Susan and “ Rufus”
Style Your Space: Mixing Canvas Prints for a Personal Touch
If you love a home that feels layered and full of life, creating your own gallery wall with canvas prints in different sizes is a wonderful way to add personality to your space. It’s an easy, flexible approach that lets you bring colour, light, and movement into your rooms while reflecting your own style.
With the new Dreaming in Coral collection, you can combine larger canvases like “Ocean Dance” or “Verdant Blaze” with smaller prints such as “Sea Pearls” or “Rosa Reverie” to shape a display that suits your wall and your mood. Play with spacing for an airy, modern look, or group pieces closely for a cosy, curated feel. You can even add in your favourite colourful Highland Cow, and pick up some of the colours in an abstract or floral piece!
The best part is that it doesn’t have to be static. Rearrange your pieces with the seasons, add new prints as your collection grows, or shift your layout when you feel like a refresh. It’s a beautiful way to keep your space evolving while keeping it feeling warm and inviting.
Ready to create your own layered gallery wall? Explore the Dreaming in Coral collection and find the pieces and sizes that speak to you.
New Canvas Release:Celestial Swans
New Arrival: “Celestial Swans” – A Gentle Moment in ‘Paint’
I’m excited to share my newest canvas print, Celestial Swans, part of my Dreaming in Coral collection. This piece captures two swans drifting together under a soft, coral-tinted sky, their curved forms bringing a sense of quiet connection and timeless grace.
Swans often symbolise love and harmony, and painting them in this layered, abstract style allowed me to capture that calm, gentle energy they bring. The soft pinks, sea greens, and hints of ocean blues in Celestial Swans create a soothing yet uplifting mood, making it a beautiful addition to bedrooms, cosy living spaces, or a serene corner in your home.
As with all my prints, Celestial Swans is available as a high-quality canvas, carefully produced to capture the subtle brushwork and layered colour of the original painting. It can stand alone as a gentle focal point or hang alongside other pieces in the Dreaming in Coral collection to create a flowing, cohesive feel across your walls.
If you’ve been looking to bring a breath of calm and a touch of warmth into your space, Celestial Swans might be just the piece for you.
Explore the full Dreaming in Coral collection of original work here on my website.
See the original painting here at my virtual art exhibition.
Why Rent Artwork for Your Workspace?
Art Rentals - An Easy Option
Adding art to your workspace does more than just fill a blank wall. A vibrant painting can transform the feel of your office, reception area, or meeting room, creating a welcoming, energising atmosphere for both your team and visitors. Renting artwork is a flexible, budget-friendly way to enjoy original art without the commitment of an upfront purchase. You can choose a single statement piece or a selection of colourful canvases to match your space, style, and budget. Rentals can be rotated monthly, every six months, or annually, keeping your space fresh and engaging.
As an added benefit, your rental payments can be offset against the purchase price if you decide you can’t part with a piece later on. Delivery and collection are included, and installation can be arranged if needed, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process for your business. I can also arrange for your chosen pieces to be framed if required, if that is an option you’d like.
Whether you want to boost morale, create a positive first impression, or simply bring colour into your everyday working environment, art rental offers a practical and inspiring solution.
Interested in bringing colour to your workspace? Get in touch here to explore available pieces and flexible rental options.
Layering Colour: How to Combine Animal Paintings with Abstracts and Florals for a Cohesive Look
Have you ever wondered how to style colourful animal paintings alongside abstracts or florals without things feeling chaotic? The secret lies in layering colour thoughtfully to create a cohesive, joyful look.
Combining vibrant animal paintings with abstract or floral pieces can add depth and personality to a space. For example, a large expressive heron painting will draw the eye, while a smaller coral-toned abstract or a loose floral adds softness and movement nearby. Choosing artworks with shared colours – like pops of turquoise, coral pinks, or sunny yellows – helps tie everything together without being overly matchy.
This approach works beautifully in living spaces, hallways, or bedrooms, bringing in both the character of wildlife art and the calm of abstracts or florals. It creates a layered look that feels curated rather than cluttered, adding warmth and life to your home.
If you’re planning a gallery wall, start with your statement animal piece, then build around it with abstracts or florals that echo one or two colours from your main painting. Leave breathing space between pieces so each can shine while still feeling part of a whole.
Using a mix of animal art with abstract or floral pieces is a wonderful way to celebrate colour, tell your story, and add joy to your home every day.
Three Tropical Brights
The Shrimp Pickers, Dreaming in Coral 2, and Fragrant Summer. These are all also available as canvas prints in various sizes.