The Dancing Paintbrush

Susan Hartzell Vannelli is an artist whose colorful, mixed media art reflects her personal energy, joy and enthusiasm for life!

An established artist in the Twin Cities for 25 years, Sue uses acrylic, pastel, oil and watercolor as her preferred mediums while creating new artwork. Her art combines spirituality, compassion and spontaneity. “Colorful Expressionist” best describes Sue’s style.

Sue has many incredible collections of original artwork that are well-respected and reviewed across the art community. She is an active participant in the St. Paul Art Crawl, and was a featured artist at the 2008 Wayzata Art Experience, a juried art show. Sue’s artwork has been selected by several Minnesota businesses to be featured in their offices, and she has been featured in the Twin Cities Home and Family Magazine and The Highland Villager.

Sue has also taught art in the Twin Cities for 24 years and opened her own art school, Sue’s Art House, LLC, in St. Paul, MN, in 1993. Sue’s Art House offers stimulating art classes and workshops to artists of all ages and skill levels. In addition, she also has a variety of stationery and boutique collections that are sold both locally and nationally.

Sue has a degree in Art and Design from the University of Minnesota. She is currently an artistic mentor for several developmentally delayed communities, an Empowerment Coach, and a certified Creativity Specialist from the University of St. Thomas. Additionally, she was a board member for Young Life in Minneapolis and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Sue has been blessed with being mentored by accomplished artist Eugene Larkin, who taught at the University of Minnesota for many years, as well as Virginia Peterson, the founder of Two Rooms Up Gallery, Edina, MN. In addition, Sue has actively participated in a creative brain pool headed by Charlie Girsch, founder of Creativity Central and toy inventor.

Sue is married to Greg Vannelli and has four beautiful children, two darling grandchildren, and a sweet golden retriever. She loves to laugh, enjoy life, and loves God, giving Him the glory for the beautiful creations that spill out of her Dancing Paintbrush.

A portion of proceeds from Sue's work are donated to the Minnesota M.S. Society