Susan Libby
Susan Libby has transformed a childhood spent on a Tucson cattle ranch into a thriving art business that brings the vibrancy of the Sonoran Desert to collectors across the Southwest. For more than two decades, this accomplished artist has built a successful enterprise around her whimsical depictions of javelinas, quail, and desert wildlife—work that graces greeting cards, giclee prints, and licensed products in galleries and retailers throughout Arizona. Despite navigating significant health challenges in recent years, Susan continues to create art that embodies her philosophy: make people smile and feel something positive. Her story is one of resilience, business acumen, and an unwavering commitment to sharing the joy she finds in the natural world.
Bringing Joy Through Color and Whimsy
Tucson-born artist Susan Libby has spent decades transforming her deep love of the Sonoran Desert into vibrant artwork that makes people smile
On a crisp morning at a local coffee shop, Susan Libby arrives with an energy that belies recent health challenges. The accomplished artist, known for her whimsical depictions of javelinas, quail, and desert landscapes, settles in to share the story behind her colorful journey.
Desert Roots Run Deep
Growing up on a cattle ranch north of Tucson shaped every aspect of Susan’s artistic vision. “Those first 12 years living out in the middle of nowhere, you’re in the country, immersed in nature,” she recalls. “Living a long way from communities, I learned to absorb, respect, and love the land and animals because we were outside all the time. Of course, I didn’t realize it until years later when I began painting.”
That early connection to Southern Arizona’s wildlife and landscape would become the foundation of her life’s work. After living away for nearly 20 years in Wyoming, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, Susan and her family returned to Tucson in the late 1990s. “I needed to get back to the west, to sky country,” she says simply.
An Unexpected Path to Art
Susan’s journey to becoming a professional artist was anything but traditional. She started at the University of Arizona, planning to go into broadcasting, but after a head injury made the Tucson heat unbearable, she transferred to Northern Arizona University and changed course entirely.
“I started taking art classes at NAU my junior year, having never had an art class in my life,” Susan laughs. She earned a degree in commercial art while also completing coursework in speech communication—skills that would prove invaluable years later.
“The classes in broadcasting and speech communication helped to build a foundation in confidence and selling my work and presenting in front of large groups,” she explains. “At the time, I didn’t realize what a benefit it would be throughout my life.
Between college years, Susan worked summers at Zion National Park and Yellowstone’s Mammoth Hot Springs. “What great adventures! Those two summers were kind of clinchers for me in realizing how much I love the outdoors and wildlife. After that time, it was just natural to focus on that subject matter,” she reflects.
Finding Her Medium
After working as a commercial illustrator, Susan taught herself to paint watercolors while living back East, initially painting shore birds, whales, and marshes. But watercolor’s tendency to fade when it dries frustrated her desire for vibrant colors.
A fellow artist suggested she try acrylics. “You put red down, and it stays red. You put turquoise down, and it stays turquoise,” Susan says. “I started going crazy with acrylic.”
Today, her work is roughly 80% acrylic and 20% watercolor, each medium serving different artistic purposes. The acrylics allow her to create the bright, bold pieces that have become her signature style.
One lesson from an employer during her illustration days stuck with her: “When you draw an animal, you have to create the eye correctly. In wildlife painting, it is the eyes that serve as the crucial link between the animal and the viewer. It makes or breaks a painting.
The Business of Being an Artist
What many don’t realize is that Susan runs a full-scale business. Her boxed greeting cards are sold throughout Southern Arizona, including Tubac and Green Valley, and at local stores including Tohono Chul, Absolutely Art Gallery, Western National Parks Assoc., Tucson Botanical Gardens, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, AJ stores, and dozens of other retailers, many in the Phoenix and Sedona areas.
“This has been my business, not a hobby, for the last 20-some years,” Susan emphasizes. “Painting, running a business, and keeping up with orders for various products is full-time work.”
Her advice to aspiring artists? “Take business and marketing classes. You may be the best artist in the world, but if you don’t understand how to make your business successful, you can’t do anything. ”
Susan manages her business with a small but dedicated team. She has an assistant who helps prepare orders, a bookkeeper who handles invoices, and two sales representatives. The Tucson sales rep, Judy, has been instrumental in getting her work into stores across the region.
“When Judy and I met, it was like two peas in a pod,” Susan says warmly. “She is a joy. Being a long-time Tucson rep, she really fired up the retail card business.”
As well as cards, Susan provides giclee prints in all sizes on wrap canvas to several retailers. A nice way for customers to purchase beautiful, affordable art.
Her daughter, Laura, built her inviting website, which includes the online Gift Store. Customers may purchase items directly from her through her website, which has proven extremely popular. Her artwork is licensed by two companies. For sublimation printing on towels, tote bags, mugs, and other products, she works with a wonderful local Tucson company, McGowan Mfg. As well, “Tile on Artwork”, a North Carolina-based company that creates beautiful tile wall murals of her images.
The Joy of Making People Smile
Susan’s artistic philosophy is refreshingly simple: create work that makes people happy.
“When I go into a gallery or look at art, I want to look at it and feel something positive,” she explains. She recalls visiting high-end galleries in Boston with her mother and seeing so many dark, brooding paintings. “Blood, gore, and misery were not appealing to me. (Though I feel strongly that all artwork is good, as it’s an individual’s personal expression. It’s Ok that not everyone likes it.)
But that day really left a mark in my mind, making me realize the importance of what message I want to convey through painting.”
Her whimsical javelinas—like her popular “Hello Javelina” design—are a perfect example. “A gentleman once said, ‘You must have never seen a javelina, because they are ugly.’
Susan recounts with a laugh. “I said, ‘Well, sir, I have seen javelina, and I’ve grown up with them, but who wants an ugly javelina on their wall?’
“Bella the Burro” has become one of her most beloved works, resonating with people who appreciate its gentle humor and bright colors. But she also loves to paint animals and wildlife from around the world. Some of her favorite animals to work with are zebras and elephants, as well as sea turtles and whales. And who doesn’t love painting a Blue-footed Booby from the Galapagos?
“I want people to have a little bit of a smile on their face when they look at my work,” Susan says. “I want them to think, ‘Well, that’s kind of cool and just feel good.'”
Living in Oro Valley
Susan and her husband, a retired architect, live near a large wash. “We’re very lucky to have a bit of space around us,” she notes. The wildlife are constant visitors; they keep animal water dishes out and regularly see bobcats, javelinas, coyotes, quail, and, of course, amazing hummingbirds.
“How can you not love hummingbirds in Southern Arizona?” she asks. Outside her studio window is a water fountain, and it provides daily entertainment from a vast assortment of birds.
The dramatic changes in Oro Valley still catch her by surprise. “Oro Valley was largely ranch land, and its continued growth is a bit staggering.”
Bella by Susan Libby
Navigating Challenges
What Susan doesn’t advertise widely is that she’s been battling severe, constant long-haul COVID since January 2022. The fatigue has been profound, forcing her to step back from her usual schedules, galleries, and festivals.
“The last four years have been challenging and humbling. The bottom line for me is that it’s been a matter of ‘readjusting, rethinking and continually moving forward’. I feel lucky with all that I can do, so life is good.”
On March 7th ~ 8th, she will return for the third year with an art exhibition and sale at the Western National Park Association, located in Oro Valley. “It’s been so enjoyable, great people and atmosphere. It’s very special for me to support the National Parks, especially with my connection over the years. And, not to mention the staff are wonderful; fun to be around, with a lot of laughter and support!” This will be here only show scheduled for most of 2026.
The Digital Age Question
Like many traditional artists, Susan grapples with the rise of AI-generated art and digital pirating of her work. Recently, she became aware that a retailer in Cave Creek was selling a digitalized giclee of one of her paintings without her permission. It has happened before, but it’s becoming more widespread.
“Pirating is out there. My work is all over, and the stealing of artwork will continue,” she says with resignation. “It’s here, it’s happening. It’s important to be aware and do what we can as artists to protect our work, but the reality is that it’s out of our control on many levels with social media, AI, etc.”
Still, she’s philosophical about it. “Look what is happening in Hollywood. Actors and musicians, along with so many visual artists to name a few all over the world. We are all being affected, which is sad, when individuals pirate our work to make large profits from it, illegally. But such is life
Looking Ahead
For 2026, Susan’s goals are modest but meaningful: paint more regularly, enjoy the Western National Park show in March, and maintain her card, giclee, and online businesses while managing her energy levels.
She stays connected with her large customer following through her business Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as an email newsletter. “Social media is the key, and from a marketing standpoint, it’s essential to stay consistent,” she acknowledges.
The large number of emails from people who’ve received her cards or purchased her work and love it keeps her motivated. Recently, a woman from Vermont wrote to say she’d ordered Susan’s artwork as Christmas gifts for her friends and the children of a friend who had recently passed away—mementos of their final trip to the Southwest together. “I was so honored that she used my products and my art to share and remember,” Susan says. “That’s the kind of thing that makes me feel happy.”
The Artist’s Perspective
When asked about her success, Susan deflects with characteristic humility. She shares a story about a customer at one of her festival booths years ago—a very quiet, gentle woman who expressed amazement at Susan’s painting ability.
“My response is always the same: We all have our own strengths,” Susan told her. “I’m sure you do something that I’m not able to do.”
The woman smiled and finally revealed she was a brain surgeon.
“I just started laughing, hugged her, and said, ‘Well, thank you. That’s an honor, because I am very in awe of you,” Susan recalls.
It’s that warmth, that genuine appreciation for others, that comes through in everything Susan does—from how she treats customers to the joy evident in her artwork.
Her art philosophy mirrors her life philosophy: stay optimistic, find beauty in nature, connect authentically with others, and always hope to give joy through art.
“My glass is always really full no matter what,” Susan says. And for those who’ve encountered her vibrant quail, whimsical javelinas, and sun-soaked desert scenes, that fullness overflows into every brushstroke.
To view Susan Libby’s work, visit her online gift shop or find her cards, giclee prints, and products at retailers throughout Southern Arizona, including Absolutely Art, Tohono Chul, Tucson Botanical Gardens, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and the Western National Park Association. Her next show will be the first weekend of March 2026 at the Western National Park Association.
