Susy Siddens
Originally from England and now based in Marin, California, Susy is an emerging artist showcasing new works under the name Fat Pencils.
Formerly an exhibitions coordinator for public art museums, a director for a private gallery and a research archivist for the renowned painter, Nathan Oliveira, Susy currently serves as the managing director of a full-service graphic design agency and is a frequent guest speaker at San Francisco State University. She was a member of the San Francisco artists collaborative Big Umbrella Studios until moving to Marin.
Evenings and weekends are dedicated to her focus on making patterns to delight; a ten-year journey to find her artistic voice, with 2025 marking the sixth year of this exploration. Documenting her progress through regular posts on Instagram, Susy sets intentions, joins art classes, and dedicates countless hours to her creativity, resulting in ever-more rewarding, fun and evolving artistic endeavors.
Why Fat Pencils?
When she started Fat Pencils, Susy was drawing every day and she loved the name—it made her smile, it’s easy, joyful and memorable. Although she transitioned to working in ink and, more recently, to mixed media, simple line drawings remain at the heart of Fat Pencils, regardless of any sculptural or painterly explorations still to come.
I have an obsession with pattern, contrast and texture that drives all of my work.
Artist Statement
In the work I’m currently doing, I explore the power of simplicity and repetition to quiet my mind and sooth my soul. The minimal use of color creates space for stillness, and a refuge where, even in a time of grief and loss, there is room for joy and contemplation. The repetitive patterns calm my anxiety and provide a grounded, meditative rhythm that invites you to pause, breathe, and reflect.
My current work is about embracing the imperfect with intention. The beauty is in the details, the textures, and the quietness of each piece. It’s not about trying to understand or analyze—it’s about feeling. The simplicity encourages mindfulness and offers a moment of peace, a space where you can let go of tension and find a sense of contentment.
It’s my hope that my art creates for you a moment of deep presence, where time slows, and the ordinary world fades away just enough to reveal clarity and calm. My intention is that my work does more than just occupy space; it invites you to spend time with it, to feel its quiet energy, and to find peace in the imperfections.
Press
2024
• Nov: Bold Journey Magazine interview can be viewed at boldjourney.com/meet-susy-siddens
• Oct: CanvasRebel publication interview can be viewed at canvasrebel.com/meet-susy-siddens
2021
• Oct: The Art Beat Club interview can be viewed at https://www.theartbeatclub.com/blog-english/Blog%20Post%20Title%20One-pclkb
Shows
2024
• Dec: Cards and Ornaments: Werkstatt; Point Reyes Station, CA
• Dec 2: Cards, Wall Hanging and Tea & Coffee Rocks, Richmond Yacht Club Artists Fair, CA
• Nov: Wall Hangings, The Tinozzi Massage Studio, Corte Madera, CA
• Nov 2–24: Coffee Rock, Jag Gallery Small Works Exhibit, juried international group exhibition, Key West, FL
• Sep 18–Oct 12: Wall Hanging, Forage: Ocean group exhibition at Dorado 806 Projects, Santa Monica, CA
• Aug: Point Richmond Art Fair, CA
• Jul 30–Sep 28: Wall Hangings (4), Naturalist Gallery of Contemporary Art, Naturalist Gallery Sculpture Collection juried international group exhibition, online
• Jul 25–Sep 28: Wall Hanging, Art Fluent: This Land juried international group exhibition, online
• Jul 21: Wall Hanging and Tea & Coffee Rocks, Third Sunday Arts & Crafts & Beyond Festival, Arts of Point Richmond booth, CA
• Jun 29–Jan 26: Wall Hanging, Lara’s Fine Dining, Point Richmond, CA
• Jun–Jul: Tea & Coffee Rocks, Upside, Mill Valley, CA
• Jun–Jul: Wall Hangings, Cedar Street Gallery, Berkeley, CA
• Jun–Jan: Wall Hangings, Madrona Bakery, Mill Valley, CA
• Mar–Aug: Wall Hanging, The Perish Trust, San Francisco, CA
• Feb–Nov: Wall Hangings, The Sanctuary by Tinozzi Chiropractic, Corte Madera, CA
• Feb–Apr: Painting, The 6000 Circle Project, Arc Gallery, San Francisco, CA
• Jan–Feb: Papier-mâché Sculptures, Werkstatt, Marin Art & Garden, Ross, CA
2023
• Dec: Ornaments, Werkstatt, Marin Art & Garden, Ross, CA
• Aug: Papier-mâché Sculpture, Language Arts at Rock Paper Scissors Collective, Oakland, CA
2022
• Papier-mâché Sculptures and Works on Paper, Excellence, Larkspur, CA
2014
• Papier-mâché Sculptures, Rabat, San Francisco, CA
2013
• Papier-mâché Sculptures, Joie de Vivre at Big Umbrella Studios, San Francisco, CA
2010
• Mixed Media and Sculpture, Arzo Stylist, Union Square, San Francisco, CA
2008
• Leaf Collages, The Ugly Mug, Soquel, CA
• Leaf Collages, Emerald Hills Café & Roastery, Emerald Hills, CA