We recently had the chance to connect with Susy Siddens and have shared our conversation below.
Susy, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
A recent moment that made me feel both proud and joyful was moving to a new creative community at age 53. After working so hard to find my place in one arts community, taking the leap to relocate felt scary—but the reception I’ve found here has been truly wonderful. I’ve been welcomed, supported, and inspired by fellow artists and business owners, and it’s reminded me that growth and belonging aren’t fixed, they evolve. The challenge of not knowing anyone has turned into laughter and pride, and it informs my work and community engagement.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist and painter working under the name Fat Pencils. I’m focused on pattern, repetition, and containment—using shape and color to explore my emotions. I came to this work through decades of therapy and a long career in design and creative leadership, which deeply informs how I think about authenticity, systems, and intention. My work is intuitive, tactile, and deliberate, and it balances restraint with freeness.
Right now, I’m focused on paintings and drawings of vases and teacups on a variety of substrates, and teaching art journaling and understanding core values workshops, all while integrating myself into a new arts community.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I was wrong about everything, all the time! And I carried that belief well into adulthood. It wasn’t until my late 30s—when someone I deeply respected suggested that I might actually be right more often than not—that something shifted. That idea genuinely surprised me. Acting on it changed my life. Now I trust my intuition, and that is at the core of who I am.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me to listen to what life/the universe/god is telling me before things get extreme. The messages usually start small—quiet signals that something is off. When I ignore them, they get louder and more disruptive, showing up as illness, broken relationships, or sudden changes I can’t avoid. Now I try to listen when the signals are still subtle. There’s much less suffering when you pay attention early.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is the real me. Authenticity is one of my core values, and I don’t have much interest in maintaining a separate “public” personality–it sounds exhausting. The way I show up in my work and in life is the same—and that alignment matters to me.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
That I was kind, interesting, and inspiring—and that I told the truth, even when it wasn’t especially polite.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fatpencils.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatpencils/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susysiddens/
Image Credits
Susy Siddens
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