Patti Suzette, a St Pete-based visual artist and muralist, creates artwork that exudes raw energy and intensity. Her work marries nature with an urban grunge that is representative of the man-made changes to natural habitat. Her work is featured in galleries across major cities such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Manhattan, NY.
She has been a keynote speaker for the Women in the Arts for Raymond James, is on the Zodiac committee for the Dali Museum, and was honored to be the official artist for the 30th Annual Spring King of the Beach and Mad Beach Boatstock.
Current Artistic Director for ARTSYN. Has worked on the XOXO Art and Music Festival, Art Basel Miami, and many local shows. She represents 30 local artists and muralists, and has a book of at least 70 more in the Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. Her passion for creation as well as her love of helping artists grow their careers has led to her founding the Patti Suzette Brokerage of Fine Art.
Where were you born?
I was born in Juneau, Alaska but I have lived in Florida for over 2 decades now. My tan thanks me.
Education, art training?
I have a double bachelors in Business Management and Finance from USF. I graduated, sat through a 4-hour long interview with WellCare for an actuarial position, went to my counselor and burst into tears. The following week I went to IADT and enrolled in an Interior Design program. I don’t regret the first 2 degrees, all of them have been extremely useful to my career. Aside from a few art classes in High School (Rolla, MO) and 2 or 3 in Interior Design school (yes, that was all the actual art required), I have no other formal training.
I created a process I refer to as “Fire Art” where I use alcohol inks and isopropyl alcohol to create an almost “reverse watercolor” effect. I would set these pieces on fire (yes, actual fire!) to set the inks and caramelize the colors in crazy intensity. It was very abstract expressionism and I loved being able to be so close to my process. I once burned off all my eyelashes and a solid tuft of hair in the process but it was exciting to watch! After a while I realized I couldn’t get the level of detail that I wanted with this medium and began incorporating acrylic paints and oils….at some point I made the full switch to explore hyperrealism and my style naturally evolved from there.
How do you and your artists work together to help each other?
Each artist I represent has a distinctly unique style, which naturally removes any sense of competition. I believe this is essential to building a truly exceptional group—one where every artist contributes something remarkable. Without the pressure of competing, they collaborate freely, support one another on murals and creative concepts, and openly share valuable insights into the logistics of running a successful art business. It’s deeply rewarding to help fellow artists thrive—and genuinely fun to exchange tips on everything from shipping and framing to creating quality prints.
How do you think pricing of artwork affects the market?
The most common question I hear from new artists is, “How do I price my work?” From the artist’s side, pricing should reflect not just material costs, but also their time, experience, and creative intellect. It’s important to consider where they are in their career—pricing should evolve as their skills and accomplishments grow. I often encourage artists to view their work through the eyes of their ideal collector: they pay close attention to the artist’s reputation, career trajectory, and exhibition history, as well as the uniqueness and quality of the work itself.
Pricing isn’t just arbitrary—it shapes how the market perceives the artist’s value and potential.
Strategic, consistent pricing supports an artist’s growth and market stability, while erratic pricing can damage reputation. When the artist begins to treat themselves as an investment, they become one.
What makes a piece of art valuable to you?
Art is not just for aesthetics. While a great piece of art can pull together a room beautifully (and with a background in Interior Design, I know the impact it could make on our clients), an art’s value can be much more than the price tag. Artwork can reflect who you are as a person, a company, a brand. Artwork can render people speechless. It can bring others to tears. For some of us, it is an inspiration to get out of bed and live the best life we can. For a business, artwork can help you establish trust with your prospective buyers, showcase your brand or core values, and position yourself as a cultural leader in your industry. Value (as in beauty) is in the eye, and more importantly, the motivation of the beholder.
When I personally am evaluating a piece of artwork to determine value and/or price point for a piece, I also take into consideration the standpoint of the artist as well. I look for the quality of their technical skill, uniqueness, composition, and cultural relevance, but I will always choose those with dedication to honing their craft. Are they making a name for themselves? Do they know how to find their target demographic? Do they invest in themselves through national art shows and continued education? While as the work is an investment for a client, the artist is an investment for the brokerage.
How does digital, NFT’s or A.I. affect what you do?
I’m often asked whether I’m concerned about the rise of A.I. in the creative world. While there’s definitely been a noticeable surge in computer-generated art, I exclusively work with artists who physically create their work. There’s something irreplaceable about true talent—original pieces crafted by the hands of artists from our generation will always hold value and remain worthy investments.
That said, I have no issue with artists using this incredible technology as a source of inspiration. After all, creativity has always been fueled by a wide range of influences—nature, daily life, other artists—so why not include the tools of our modern world?
Some artists believe that using A.I. in any capacity is “cheating,” and that’s totally valid. Everyone’s creative process is personal, and I respect that. But from a practical standpoint, A.I. can be incredibly helpful—especially when it comes to commissions. Developing mock-ups for murals and fine art can take hundreds of hours. And when clients aren’t quite sure what they want, that time can easily go to waste. A.I. allows artists to generate visual references that help clients define their vision, saving time and streamlining the creative process.
Let’s be real—artists have bills to pay. While the idea of spending endless hours “just doodling” might sound fun, it’s not sustainable. Every hour needs to contribute to the bigger picture of making a living through art. This is 2025- we’re living in a technological age. I don’t support passing off A.I. creations as original work, and I won’t represent artists who do. But I absolutely respect artists who use technology as a smart, modern tool for inspiration and efficiency.
The “starving artist” stereotype? That’s so last year. 😉
Do you see any trends in the Tampa Bay area art market?
I am noticing a larger demand for bold abstracts and minimalistic works, which may be motivated by Tampa’s growing public art initiatives that are featuring large-scale installations in everyday spaces. Art and community are holding hands these days, and I am loving it.
As our world evolves, I am also noticing a big trend in artists integrating technology into their work. Many are using data, augmented reality and immersive installations to add new depths to their work and adapting to a digital era. Being able to scan a 2-dimensional piece of art and having technology bring it to life in a 3-dimensional way is not only fascinating but it can be educational for the viewer. This is being used a lot in museums to engage with a younger audience. It is remarkable what creatives can come up with – and we intend to use digital mapping to enhance shows in the future to add to the “immersive experience” and stimulate all the senses of our guests.
What’s the number one thing artists should do to sell their art?
I feel that the number one thing contemporary artists can do to sell their artwork is build and consistently engage with their audience—online and in person. In today’s market, collectors aren’t just buying the art—they’re investing in the artist. Sharing their story, process, and passion through social media, exhibitions, and events creates connection and trust. When people feel emotionally invested in the artist, they’re far more likely to invest in the work. Visibility leads to credibility, and credibility leads to sales. With the new technologies available, building trust with buyers and showcasing authenticity can be a game-changer.
Ten year goals?
If you build it, they will come. True. As long as you also build a marketing platform, hone your target audience, ensure you are offering the best and most unique products on the market….
I believe in setting ambitious goals and always reaching higher. I actively seek out mentors who are at the top of their fields across various industries, and I surround myself with people who challenge me to grow. My vision for this gallery is to create a space that truly elevates my artists —showcasing their work with the level of professionalism and care it deserves. But a gallery alone isn’t enough; we take these talents to national art fairs, standing alongside top galleries from around the world.
By building a strong reputation, setting clear, sustainable goals, and upholding high standards, we’re laying the foundation for something bigger. My long-term mission is to open 10–15 galleries across the U.S. to amplify the voices and work of the artists defining our generation.
What do you have
coming up soon?
Our biggest news is the grand opening of Echelon Fine Art. An exclusive gallery and event space opening up in Clearwater on May 31st, 2025. I have the honor of representing some of the most incredible people I know—artists who are not only insanely talented but also genuinely beautiful souls. They deserve a space that elevates their work, and Echelon is exactly that. Art isn’t meant to just be seen. It is to be lived and celebrated in all its glory.
Other Exciting News:
We’ve been selected as one of 75+ international galleries showing at Red Dot Miami during Art Basel this year. Come visit us at booths 724, 726, and 728 by the Red Dot Lounge from December 3–7, 2025.
Plus, Echelon Fine Art will be featured as the “Signature Collection” at Superfine Art Fair in both Austin (February 2026) and Houston (November 2026). We are curating a custom booth display boasting a large “Art Activation” area with live performances and a ton of surprises.
What’s your favorite magazine in the area?
The Artisan Magazine….duh 😉
