New watercolor exhibit by artist Suzala at HIVE Market and Gallery makes a splash in Oyster Bay

HIVE Market and Gallery in Oyster Bay is showcasing the watercolor works of Suzala, a plein air artist from Plainview. The exhibition, which runs through mid-October, highlights scenes from Oyster Bay, Cold Spring Harbor, and beyond, offering viewers a chance to experience familiar places through her artistic lens.

Laura Escobar, owner of HIVE, said she first met Suzala in 2020 at the Oyster Bay Market, where the artist had set up her easel and started painting en plein air.

“She had her cones set up around her, easel out, and she was fully focused,” Escobar recalled. “It was so beautiful seeing someone sit down and create a watercolor design right there. I was mesmerized.”

That initial encounter led to a connection between the two, eventually culminating in Suzala’s current exhibit at HIVE. Escobar expressed her admiration for Suzala’s work, particularly her ability to capture local scenes.

“It’s not just that she paints these local spots—it’s how she uses watercolor, a medium that’s notoriously difficult to master,” Escobar said. “Her work is more impressionist, and there’s something magical about seeing these familiar places come alive through her vision.”

Suzala, who grew up in nearby Plainview and has spent much of her life painting in Oyster Bay, said she finds inspiration in the places she frequented as a child.

“I spent my childhood at the Bonanza Ice Stand, eating chocolate ices,” she said. “Now, as an adult, I return to these same spots and capture them in watercolor.”

She explained that she only recently got into watercolor painting in the last five years, after having spent decades as a graphic designer and art teacher. Despite this she said that she loves watercolor as a medium due to the fact that the results are fluid, expressive pieces that invite viewers to step into the scenes she paints.

“I love watercolor because you can’t control it,” she explained. “At its best, watercolor does its own thing. I try to set it up so it does what it does best. My work is more impressionist, and I paint directly—no pencil lines beforehand.”

The exhibit features a wide range of local landmarks, including paintings of the local restaurant Sweet Tomato and the bridges that dot Long Island’s landscape. It also includes Suzala’s pieces from the South Shore, including scenes of oyster fishermen’s shacks.
Suzala added that hopes her artwork evokes a sense of presence for those who view it.

“I paint plein air because all my senses are engaged in that moment,” she said. “I want people to look at my work and feel like they’re right there, experiencing the same sights, sounds, and smells I did when I painted it.”

The exhibit is open for viewing at HIVE Market and Gallery through mid-October, with all works available for purchase.