Artist Registry

Susan H. Nichols

Susan H. Nichols. “Dolly at Idlewild” Susan H. Nichols. “Luehr's train” Susan H. Nichols. “Checkerboard House”

Contact information

fivecentride@yahoo.com
www.5centride.com

Fiddle & Pick
Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee
456 Highway 70
Pegram TN 37143
(615) 646-9131

Artist statement

I am attracted to the sights & sounds & smells of the midway, having worked in the amusement industry since 1981. Watercolors are my main love so combining the two has become my passion. I also love to travel off the main highways of America (and other countries as well, given the opportunity). This results in many sightings of old vehicles, unusual eateries and shops, and just about anything that catches my eye.

I like to depict what is real, rust and all, but in a romantic way nationally-known local artist John Baeder has been a wonderful influence on my work.

Resume / bio

A native of Williamsport, PA, Sue earned a B.A. in Journalism/Advertising from Penn State University in I975. She has worked in the amusement industry most of her career. Sue has made her home in Pegram since 1996.

For eight years, Sue sold ticket printing for National Ticket Company, based in the Washington DC area. After that she joined Amusement Business magazine, spending six years in the Los Angeles office, followed by seven years in Nashville, Tennessee.

Currently she represents two trade magazines: Venues Today, covering stadiums and arenas all over the US; and Amusement Today , covering amusement parks, water parks and midways. She also paints commissioned work for carnivals, fairs, amusement parks, and industry manufacturers. Some of her work is owned by Eli Bridge Company, (manufacturers of Ferris Wheels), Knoebels Amusement Park, Waterloo Tent, Kennywood Park, Idlewild Park, DelCrosso1s Amusement Park, carnivals such as Cumberland Valley Shows, Drew Expositions, Reithoffer Shows, Butler Amusements, Ray Cammack Shows, and many more, plus the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions. (IAAPA).

Starting with oils, then acrylics, she found her main love in watercolors. Sue has been painting for more than 30 years, but only since 2002 has it become more of a career rather than the hobby it once was. Her carnival art was featured on the PBS TV show Tennessee Crossroads in September 2005.

In January 2007, Current Inc, licensed four of her amusement park and fair designs for their scrapbooking catalog. The paper can be ordered via their website here: www.timestocherish.com.

Another exciting event is her art appearing in the Quentin Tarantino film “Deathproof” portion of the Grindhouse movie. Six of her rural Tennessee scenes, including the Studebaker truck, Down Home Motors, Rusting Buddies, Eagles Mere Beer, and Log Shed appear in a long café scene in the movie.

NICA, the National Independent Concessionaires Association, has commissioned cover art for their annual membership directory for the past four years, and her artwork has appeared on other county fair and industry book covers.

In 2003, a tile manufacturer started reproducing her artwork on ceramic tile gift items such as cutting boards, jewelry boxes, mousepads, drink coasters and other items. These are sold at industry trade shows and via custom orders, and on her website:

Some tile items are available at gifts shops at the PA amusement parks above.

Exhibitions

Bibliography

(Information last updated: 1 March 2010)

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