Sue Halstenberg was born October 20, 1957, in Pacific Beach, California, near La Jolla, and was a graduate of the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. She began her career working as a fashion illustrator for the Southern California department stores.

A few years later she started her own business, accepting commissions for portrait and figure paintings in pastel and oil. One of Sue’s paintings, “Victoria,” was featured on the cover of American Artist Magazine and the Pastel Society of America, in New York City, juried her into their national association as a “Signature Member.”

Well-known author Dr. Doreen Virtue asked Sue to paint five original portraits for the Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards. A dozen of Sue’s paintings have been included in Dr. Virtue’s Hay House projects. Sue’s original pastel of “Lakshmi” (a Hindu Goddess) is in the collection of Dr. Virtue and now hangs in the healing room at her home.

In many ways, Sue’s artistic legacy is just beginning in her passing. Sue’s artistic influences will continue in this generation and beyond. Her works are being gathered and inventoried by friends, and students alike so that her legacy will continue to be shared, celebrated and loved by new students and future generations of art lovers and artists. Sue passed away Monday, June 6, 2017 in Ojai, from inflammatory breast cancer.