Conversations with the Inspiring Suzzane Collins

Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzzane Collins.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Crossroads. They come to us throughout life. Some are expected, like turning 16 and getting a driver’s license. Some are unexpected, but they occur none the less. In 2010 I was contemplating a big crossroad retirement. I wasn’t nearly old enough, but time goes by so fast…. I didn’t want to retire somewhere and play golf, not that there’s anything wrong with that! I wanted adventure, travel, excitement and new experiences.

I didn’t come from a traveling family. Many members of my mother’s family never left the Kansas County in which they were born. Travel was mostly viewed as an obligation for visiting out of town family members. Vacation to me meant the back of a yellow station wagon… We didn’t even own a globe.

I was first introduced to world geography in the 5th grade when I was ten years old. We studied the Netherlands first. We learned about food, language, customs, architecture, and geography. Everything was different than anything I had ever known or could have even imagined. And yet it wasn’t different. There were parents and grandparents and children who went to school and came home and ate dinner and did homework, just like me. But not like me. It was a marvelous and intriguing revelation to consider. This juxtaposition would become the driving force behind my desire to travel. To understand.

When I turned 21, my sister was eighteen. Neither one of us had ever seen the ocean. We decided it was time. Crossroads.

We booked a flight and flew to Mazatlan, Mexico. We took a cab from the airport to our hotel and I promise you, the drivers still remembers us. Along we went, down the road. We were moving our heads left and right, scanning for ocean. We looked like two people watching an invisible tennis match! Then…. There it was! We started yelling and motioning for the driver to pull over. He did. We got out, leaving all our luggage and bags in the cab! We were awestruck. We ran to the water, whooping and hollering and picking up sand, running into the shallow waves, then back out. After a few minutes, we remembered the cab. We looked back to see him sitting patiently, with a very puzzled look on his face! He was in complete disbelief that we had never seen an ocean before, but he had never seen snow! And there it was…. The juxtaposition!

Life goes on. I married, had a child, received my degree in nursing, found Buddhism, and settled into a wonderful life of service and practice. I love being a nurse. It is the most intimate, satisfying, and personal work one will ever do. Nursing has been my life, my identity, my quiet contribution to humanity one person at a time. And for the greater audience, I wrote a book on long term care which was published in 2004.

As I started to contemplate the crossroads of retirement, I remembered the globe! For the first time, in a long time, I thought about travel. I subscribed to International Living. It was like my genie in a bottle, helping me remember my dreams and showing my how to achieve them. I subscribed to the website, I joined daily emails and I found a like-minded group of people offering up multiple options for earning income abroad, one being teaching English. Bingo!

In 2012, I graduated from Cambridge University with a CELTA certificate for teaching English as a second language. I decided teaching would be the best way to guarantee income abroad, and I have teaching experience. My dream was still a dream, but at least now I had a tangible part of it I could hold in my hand.

In 2018 I got a passport! A friend and I planned a trip to Portugal. I was beyond excited. It was finally happening! At the last minute, I decided to buy a camera. I waited a long time for this experience, and I didn’t want to capture the memories through the lens of a marginal cell phone.

When I stepped off the plane in Lisbon, the thought of teaching English never crossed my mind. I was completely overwhelmed. What was a dream is now a reality! The architecture, the food, the music, the language, the people, the wine, the rivers and beaches… I wanted to capture every moment, and I did. I brought home literally hundreds of pictures, completely clueless as to how much this trip, and the photos, would impact my life.

When I came home, I did what everyone does. I made a scrapbook with 200 pictures in it and shoved it in front of all my friends. A funny thing happened. They actually enjoyed looking at the images. Two friends kept it for days, showing it to others.

In April 2019, a friend and I were having brunch at el Noa Noa, a sunny Sunday on the patio. When we finished we strolled along Santa Fe in the arts district looking into the galleries. Posted in the window of the VFW gallery was a sign for artist open call.

“You should do it” she says. “Do what?”. “Bring your Portugal here. I bet you get in.” The thought was ridiculous. I’m a nurse, an English teacher, but not an artist. I thought about the conversation for a long time. I decided I had nothing to lose, so I ordered prints, frames, put together a collection, and took myself to open call!

The process was fascinating. There were approximately 15 artists and six spots. The curation team came around, looking at everyone’s stuff and taking notes. They went into a back room and came out 30 minutes later. They called five names, and then came and stood in front of me and another artist, a painter. They discussed the merits of each of our work. They picked him. As I packed up, a woman from the committee came by and said that I was the happiest person they had ever rejected. She seemed genuinely puzzled. I told her this was my first time out, and I was thrilled at getting that close. She told me to come to the next open call. I put myself on the email list, packed up and went home.

In May, I heard from a small retail art store and gallery called Fun and Funky Arts in Bailey, Colorado. They were interested in my work! I met with Andy, the owner. He was very complimentary of my work and offered me space! Within a month my work was in the store and selling! Something was definitely starting to shift…..I never saw or even imagined an artist’s future for myself, but I was beginning to consider it.

My confidence bolstered, I went to the next open call in June at VFW. I was chosen! I was beyond excited and filled with amazement and gratitude. Each show is only 30 days, and every artist has to reapply monthly. I had a five months run, and sold at every show. I did not re-apply, after six months, I took myself out for a break!

I started an Instagram account last March. My first foray into social media! I have cultivated group of over 300 followers, real followers who actually interact with me!

Through Instagram, my work was seen by Raw Artists, and I was approached by their curation specialist. They are a large national and international organization supporting small artists. I didn’t even have to apply! They asked me! Now an official member of Raw Artists, my first show is April 2nd at the Church Nightclub.

And now, each step leading to the other, here I am. An accidental photographer with potential for travel, adventure, excitement and income. Waiting…. on the brink of a crossroad.

Has it been a smooth road?
For me, it has been a smooth road. I believe we have a plan, and God has a plan, and they are never the same 🙂 Put yourself out there, and see what comes back. Pay attention to the opportunities that present themselves to you, even if they are not part of YOUR plan. Stay open. Surround yourself with people who support your mission. and listen to your heart.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into SK Collins Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in photography. Specifically non photo shopped images. So much photography today is stylized, computerized or otherwise manipulated. My niche is capturing quality images of actual things and happenings and presenting them as they appear. I enjoy manipulating actual hard copy images, using specific techniques I have developed.

One thing I am very proud of is my commitment to original artwork. I believe everyone who desires should be able to own original art. For that reason, I price my work very reasonably. When I sell a piece in the gallery, I take the image out of my collection. it is never reproduced for sale or posted on Instagram. It is now an original, belonging to the purchaser. I sign, date and number it 1/1. The joy for us both is priceless.

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
I did not have a mentor, at least not at first. I connected to my local camera store. They offer classes where I met other photographers, all at different levels of expertise. The store organizes events called meet and shoot, where groups go out and photograph together. This was very helpful in growing my skillset in a fun and friendly way.

There is a multitude of information online, but I recommend looking for actual people, especially if yours is a creative endeavor. There are many groups and classes to join in rec centers, galleries, specialty stores, churches, etc., regardless of your interest. Join one, or two. Networking starts small.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 720 771-5008
• Email: a.clearhead@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @a.clearhead
• Other: https://rawartists.com/skcollinsphotography

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