Suzette Boulais is executive director of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc., a city-funded, non-profit organization that promotes the arts as a vital component of the Peoria area's cultural and economic development. Suzette's interest in painting is relatively new. After taking an introductory painting class at Lakeview Museum in 2001, Suzette soon gravitated to painting and designing her own notecard line, HeartART, which is now being carried by several floral shops around town.

Regarding her larger paintings, Suzette patterns her work after artist Mark Rothko, whose abstractions deal with with basic color schemes, combinations and shapes that evoke a simple mood or impression. "Painting has become a tremendously rewarding activity in my life. I find it inspiring because I never know how each piece will turn out. It never ceases to amaze me how each and every piece of art takes on a creative life of its own."

Click here to view samples from Suzette's notecard line, HeartART, along with order form.