About this time last year, I purchased two photographs from my blogger friend @ Sue’s Daily Photography. I had been admiring her work for the past three (now four) years. Sometimes it would be weeks between visits, and I would take my coffee to my computer and scroll through the work she had captured through the lens of her camera, since the last time I had stopped by.
When the package was delivered I recall the excitement I felt. I had ordered the photos to be printed and applied to stretched canvas. They were a pleasure to hold in my hands, while my eyes examined the arc of her work from nature, to camera, to canvas and shipped first to her, for her signature and then up the East coast to my home. I rarely buy items of this nature but something about the art convinced me that I must own them. Not the originals, merely copies, but to me, they were a part of my friend’s energy and talent. She does have a knack for clicking at the right moment.
World Travelers Susanne Van Hulst, and her husband, David, have seen and captured the beauty along the way. Things most people ignore and walk past, are just another golden opportunity for Susanne to point her camera and take the shot, forever holding frozen that one instant in time.
Me: Susanne, you told me you speak different languages, that English is not your native tongue. Which languages do you know and why did you master so many?
Susanne: Before I start answering all your questions, I want to thank you for this wonderful possibility to be in your interview, dear Theresa!
I’m a native Hungarian and lived in Hungary to age seven. The Hungarian Revolution in 1956 forced my father and me to leave the country and we found a new home in Switzerland. Unfortunately, in those sad times of war so many tragedies happened to so many families. Many of them were separated involuntarily – and this also happened to our family. My mother sadly was left behind in Hungary with three of my younger siblings, while my father and I escaped to the West, before the borders between Hungary and Austria were closed for good. The time of the “Iron curtain” began and my parents were never reunited.
We arrived in Switzerland, where I grew up. I had to learn the German language immediately. Later on in high school we also had to learn French and Italian. You have to know that Switzerland is a country with four official languages, yes … four! German in the North-Northeast, French in the West, Italian in the South and “Romantsch” in the South East. “Romantsch” is a mixture of Italian and Latin, a very old language! Luckily we did not have to learn that language because “Romantsch”, is only spoken by a minority of the country’s population.
And only many years later I’ve started to learn English also. So, this will answer your question about why I speak so many languages.
Me: I recall reading you journeyed to America from Europe. What are the biggest differences that you notice between the two lifestyles?
Susanne: This is a very complex and difficult question and it’s not easy to answer this in a few words. Every one of us knows that there are many differences between Europe and the USA, historically and especially in cultural ways. I cannot list them all, but I want to tell you one thing: I love to be here! America is a beautiful country and compared to Switzerland: IT IS BIG!!!! Nowadays in Switzerland we have a population of just Seven-Million people, and One-Million of them are from foreign countries.
Geographically seen, Switzerland is a VERY small country, par example: if you drive South, from Zurich for four hours in your car, you’ll be in Italy already. Two hours to the North and you’re in Germany. Driving four hours to the West and you’re in Geneva and at the border to France and last but not least: in just an hour and a half, driving to the East you’ll be already in Austria. Here in America I’m driving up North from the Keys for six hours and I’m still in Florida … *smile* … And I have figured out, that if you would place Switzerland into the State of Florida, it could be done easily three times for sure, including the high mountains.
The American people are very nice and open and easy going, compared maybe to the Swiss people. Swiss people are for the first moment maybe more conservative looking, than they really are, but after you’ve won their friendship for good, they are very loyal and that friendship stays for ever and it’s meant for serious. That’s something, which is not that easy to do here with Americans. It’s hard to make REAL and long-lasting friendships here in America! Americans are too busy with themselves and with shopping and sorry to say this, they are not too serious about many things. Switzerland is also one of the richest countries in the world and the Swiss people are working hard for that high quality in lifestyle.
I had only good experiences in this country with the people I met also on my travels. To list you all the differences and experiences in these ten years I’m living here, it would fill a whole book by itself … *smile* … I think, it’s great to have cultural differences between countries … it spices up and enriches the life on both sides, otherwise it would be a pretty boring world, right?
Me: At what age did you become interested in photography? Is it something you grew up with? Did someone in your family perhaps have a flair for taking pictures?
Susanne: I grew up in a very nice Swiss family and they were BIG art lovers and art collectors and they taught me a big passion for classical music, especially for the wonderful works of Mozart and Chopin. From them I’ve learned also how to “look at art” by visiting many of the famous Art Galleries and to be introduced to some of the famous Swiss artists they had as their personal friends. I’m very thankful to them for that!
My first KODAK-Instamatic-Camera I got for Christmas at the age of twelve and of course, I was starting to snap and to document everything I could get in front of my lens! Back then nobody knew anything about today’s “digital age”. And this first exciting connection to photography made it easy later, with no question, for me to decide to study photography at the school of “Art & Design” in Switzerland.
Me: I remember it was in April 2007 that I discovered your popular blog, “Sue’s Daily Photography”. I tell you that I spent a long time going back over the previous posts, until I had a good feel for your artistry. What was it like living in Key West, Florida? What drew you and your husband there, and how long did you call it home?
Susanne: Living those seven years in Key West was a great time for me and for my husband. We got married down there in paradise in 2001. We also started our little art business, where we were selling David’s fine art paintings and my photography to all the tourists who came down every evening to watch those world-famous sunsets at the pier at Mallory Square. That was quite a great experience to get in touch with people from all over the world. Our works are spread out nowadays in many households throughout Europe, South Africa, Australia and South America. It’s a great feeling and big satisfaction when people are smiling and happy when they are looking at your art. Of course, when in the end they are buying it too, that’s the biggest joy, knowing you’re doing the right thing.
Me: David Van Hulst is a wonderful painter. I admire the way he applies brushstrokes of his subjects onto the canvas. He has a talent for making everyday scenes something special. His work, as is yours, is outstanding. How many years has he been painting?
Susanne: David has been drawing and painting since his childhood days. He was very talented already back then and was called always “the artist” in his classrooms. Later, he studied Graphic Design in California where he had many great experiences, and had the opportunity to work with other artists and famous ad agencies in New York City, Zurich and in London, where he worked artistically also for Yoko Ono and the Beatles on their albums.
Me: Time and again, you and your husband demonstrate the developed artistry in your photographs and paintings. The way you share with your readers the intimate complexities of say … the rooster’s feathers, or the light cascading down onto a rocking chair on the front porch, is remarkable. It’s your ability to focus in on the very best position. Almost as if you staged these things to happen, the night before, and everything was ready to pose, just as you walked by the next day. You both share the best of yourselves in the work you produce, so that the essence shines through to the person taking a look. How do you two approach your work?
Susanne: There is not too much magic involved … We are always waiting for “the right light” at the scene and then I’m capturing it with my camera, sometimes also as reference samples for David’s future paintings. I love to work with available, natural light. I’m not that much a fan of a studio, because I do love to capture the more soft and warmer tones in outdoor lights. It looks better on skin tones and in natural landscapes – on everything. I think anyway that I’m more the intuitive photographer than the big “technician” – and a lot of women photographers are that way. I’ve learned the basics in photography, of course. I’m using them too, but today I’m shooting more with my soul. I hope you understand what I want to express with these words … *smile* …
Me: When we met four years ago, you were residing in Key West, Florida. Then you moved to historically picturesque Charleston, South Carolina. Two years ago you and David traveled across the United States and I believe you visited your European relatives, and have since settled on the East Coast of Florida. Of these three places where did you enjoy living the most? How did seeing this great land of America affect your art? What prompted this expedition and which were the best parts of your adventure?
Susanne: My husband and I are people who love to enjoy THE moments in life. When we resided in Key West, we loved to be there every second, and I can say the same about Charleston. Being on the road for 8 months in a small RV you have to make a lot of changes and also compromises in your lifestyle. To be living in a very small spot (27 feet!) together is not always easy. I want to say, you have to be very much in love with your partner to accept a lot from each other, but you’ll learn also a lot too from each other. Traveling opens your eyes, it gives you the freedom in your mind and you’ll learn to respect each other more and to accept each other’s different personalities. We’ve enjoyed every single day of our travel together!!
And residing today on the Space Coast was a big challenge to us “islanders”. Here, living in the “real world”, in a very different civilization than down in the very laid-back lifestyle of the Keys, is a big challenge and different. We both love the beach, taking walks almost every day and we love to see and to feel the wonders of Mother Nature, that’re giving us new impulses for our creativity. We love to be here!
“Every episode, every moments in your life comes in the right time to you and you should appreciate it and embrace it every moment!” My favorite quote! (it’s from me) 
Me: When you were living in Charleston, South Carolina, what was it that drew you to move there and what was the most thrilling aspect of walking those cobblestone streets?
Susanne: We were looking for a town or city with similar possibilities to Key West, thinking now about selling our art. That’s why we moved to Charleston. And it was also THAT unique charm of Charleston that was so fascinating for us. Not to forget, all the history you can see and feel all over town – it’s almost magical! And of course we loved the picturesque, beautiful architecture of those historical buildings and places. Being in Charleston is like falling in love with something very special, very beautiful and very photogenic – and I did! That’s a love you’ll never ever forget and sometimes, I’m still missing it, “my beautiful Charleston” with all the pretty and very photogenic corners and places, Plantations and Gardens.
It was also in Charleston when we started to work seriously on our travel plans for 2009 and we started out from there in our RV, driving across the whole United States for eight months. From the East Coast to the West Coast and everything in between. And, it was BIG fun and an unforgettable journey! I would repeat it any time!
Me: Now that you are on the East Coast of Florida, does this area speak to you, as did Key West? Do you think you’ll settle, or move to another artsy locale? Are there any future jaunts across country in the near future?
Susanne: Coming back in September 2009 from our travels, we didn’t know – honestly – where to settle down again. The only one thing we knew was, it had to be in Florida, somewhere, to get out of the way of the cold winters in the North. For economical and personal reasons we didn’t want to go back to Key West. You know, sometimes in life, you just have to move on and keep looking forward. Or in other words: never warm up cold coffee … *smile* … it doesn’t taste good! That meant for us: we have seen Key West and the Keys already, we don’t go back there again – only maybe some trips for visiting our good friends down there.
We wanted to start over somewhere else, and after seeing a lot of other beautiful places in this wonderful country, we still loved Florida the most. We both always liked the beach and it was an easy decision for us to settle down in a small beach town, or somewhere close to Cape Canaveral, where you can see perfectly also all the Space Shuttle launches. We have now the beach and the white sand five minutes away from our house. It’s great, it’s fun and it’s beautiful here!
And yes, if we will find a great sponsor with a great and interesting concept and who is willing to support our next travels, yes, we are ready to travel again, anytime … sure, of course! Just contact us with your sponsoring ideas! We are very good at multitasking and are easy-going people. *smile*
Me: Do you plan to visit Europe again and if so, where will you stay while there?
Susanne: Just now I’m not planning to go anywhere, even though I would love to see my two kids again and my two grand kids, they all are living in the region of Zurich in Switzerland. And not to forget all my good friends I still have over there – they are missing me too … *smile* … I would love to go visiting again, sure!
Me: Since I am the proud owner of two of your photographs on canvas, please tell the stories about the “Angel Oak Tree”, and then about “Bird of Paradise Flower”. Both are stunning.
Susanne: The Angel Oak is a very old historic Oak tree, going back to the 1400s. The tree is located on James Island, outside of Charleston. I have photographed that tree in every season of the year, but never with snow – it does not snow in Charleston, for sure not when I was living there.
The “Bird of Paradise” is a reminder of a runaway trip from Hurricane Charley, when we were leaving Key West going up to Saint Augustine. I captured that flower in a pretty garden of a museum. I’m so happy you like these two pieces of photography so much – thank you again for your purchase, dear Theresa.
Me: Susanne, please explain to us where you sell your photographs and David’s paintings, and how our readers can own some of your beautiful work, too.
Susanne: Today, David and I are selling our artwork on different online art sites. It is very convenient for us not to deal anymore with all that big work of matting and framing, with shipping and handling, insurances and the 30-day money-back-warranty. We just upload our pictures and the company does the rest for us. If you’re considering buying a nice piece of art from us, please have a look at the places below:
Visit also my daily photo blog:
David is working on our new website … it’s in progress!
Fine Art America Susanne Van Hulst
Fine Art America David and Susanne
Susanne and David Van Hulst are two people, who lead the good life. They live out their passions. Stop by their web sites and explore their work, you will appreciate the expressiveness of that very special something that makes them outstanding not only in their art, but also in the way they approach life. I want to take this time to thank Susanne for her continued friendship, the time she took out of her busy schedule to talk with me and to wish her and David all the finest the world has to offer. Susanne is beautiful, interesting, talented and ever so charming, too.
Very beautiful photos! :)
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