ORPWOOD FINE ART
Meet the Artist
Susannah M Myles Orpwood
BIOGRAPHY
Susannah was born in Redhill, Surrey (UK) in 1983 and developed a deep connection with horses at an early age, beginning with her first pony ride at just two years old. Over the years, Susannah has worked extensively within the equine industry across the UK, Barbados, Canada, and the island of Mustique in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
After moving to Barbados in her early teens, she taught horse riding alongside working as a freelance racehorse exercise rider for a number of trainers, including French trainer Jean Louis Beuzelin and local trainer Robert Pierce. Much of her work was focused on backing and producing young thoroughbreds for Sir David Seale.
From there, she moved to the island of Mustique, teaching private and group riding sessions, managing equestrian activities, and leading trail rides and island tours. Before returning to the UK, she spent time in Canada working as a freelance riding instructor in Stouffville, Ontario.
After returning to the UK, Susannah rode thoroughbreds for Bill Smith (various owners), Arab horses for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Bill Smith’s personal hunt horses.
Surrounded by beautiful countryside and exceptional equine subjects, she continued to develop her skills as an artist, quietly oil painting alongside her equestrian career and accepting private commissions by request.
Today, Susannah is based in the UK and focuses her practice on portraying horses and the natural world around them. She is a skilled oil painter with a recognisable style, known for her use of colour, light, and contrast to create a sense of richness and depth.
Being selective about the reference material she works from, she prefers to meet and photograph her subjects in person. Spending time with each horse allows her to capture their individuality, energy, and character, often supported by life studies for reference.
This approach enables her to create thoughtful and accurate portrayals that go beyond surface aesthetics, capturing the essence of the whole horse.