“I believe that when one trusts their creative heart, they are set free to take a journey beyond one’s own imagination to live a fuller more joyful life.”

Ssusan Forte O’Neill bridges her love of history and politics (from her Washington, D.C. roots) with the lightness of her current Southern California residence to create her masterful pieces. She learned early on that the “gift of the heart” would be her treasured compassion of life to share with others. Throughout her journey as an artist, author, teacher and business visionary, she has chosen to express the mission of the “giving heart.”

Trained in Fine Arts at George Washington University, Ms. Forte O’Neill works in various mediums from large-scale paintings, to sumi style pen and ink drawings to sewing with fibers and fabrics. Throughout her artist career, she has participated in several individual and group art shows, receiving awards and recognitions for her works. Her one-of-a-kind, hand-sewn “totable art handbags” combine her love of color, texture and fashion and have been sold in specialty stores throughout the country.She has also created a line of whimsical note cards for Blue Mountain Arts, with inspirational sayings and drawings.

She compliments her artistry with a love for the written word and is the author of three books. Her most recent title, God Is REAL: An Invitation to Access and Embrace God in Your Daily Life was published in August 2021. Her two previous titles are A Journey to Rediscover Your Heart and The Book of Herman. The Book of Herman has been recognized as a children’s book on nature by The Huntington Library Collection/Botanical Gardens Children’s Library in California.

Ms. Forte O’Neill began her career as an entrepreneur, launching several small businesses, and is currently President and Founder of Forte Designs, a dedicated business development and public affairs consultancy creating innovative solutions for today and tomorrow. Ms. Forte O’Neill is also the Founder of Technolink Association, a trade association and resource center for emerging and start-up companies, enhancing the development of innovation with public and private partnerships between universities and institutions of Southern California.

Ms. Forte O’Neill resides in Southern California with her husband. She fills her days with inspiration from her European style garden, walking with nature, cooking, sharing in conversations with family and friends and exploring new paths of creativity. Her art, writings and designs have been featured in various media and on-line outlets such as: The Washingtonian Magazine, Haute Handbags Magazine, Amazon, MomCentral and Etsy.