THE STROKE OF A BRUSH

Hatteras Island artist

Randi O’Sullivan

captures a world of color on the canvas

Photos by Ryan Moser Story by Fran Marler

There are moments in time that have an effect like no other. An explosion of colors – cobalt, an array of pinks, purples and gold dance along the horizon, beckoning skyward to what lies beyond – a sort of stillness that offers an embrace like the comfort of an old family quilt.

“This is the golden hour,” 32-year-old Hatteras Island artist Randi O’Sullivan says of the period of time that occurs just before sunset. “And it’s my favorite part of the day.”

Known by many as a self-described “mermaid with a paintbrush” (the local post office workers like to joke that they rarely see her without a brush tucked absentmindedly behind her ear), Randi has made it her life’s work to take those moments and translate that experience into a passionate array of images that are firmly rooted in her life here on the Outer Banks.

“I’ve always been into super vivid, saturated colors,” she says about her distinctive (and often instinctive) artwork, which tends to feature bold hues and striking patterns. “Sometimes it seems as though the color just oozes out of me!”

From being a part of the artistic honor society at her high school in Baltimore to studying art education at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington, Randi has been honing her eye for as long as she can remember. “During my college days I painted anything I could get my hands on,” she explains with a laugh. “Cardboard, beer boxes, you name it. I even hung and sold a few along the way.”

With an artistic father who uses a chain saw to carve tikis and is also equally adept at creating delicate sterling silver jewelry, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Randi has allowed her creative drive to take the front seat and trust the path she’s on.

A path that’s led her to the Outer Banks. First, however, she returned to Baltimore from Wilmington, where she found that the community wasn’t as welcoming of new artists as she would have liked. After talking it over with her then-boyfriend (now husband), Blake, they decided that their next move would either be to the mountains or the beach. And so it literally came down to a coin toss. One side was Asheville, N.C., the other, the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks won. “When we moved here in the dead of Intricately patterned and colorful mandalas have long been part of Randi O’Sullivan’s oeuvre (above). Randi at home on Hatteras Island (right). winter from Baltimore in 2012, I literally had no plan,” she says good-naturedly. “So I thought that since I had nothing else to lose, what better time to give being a fulltime artist a shot?” With nature and the ocean at her fingertips, Randi quickly found herself embracing an endless source of inspiration. “Being here, as opposed to a bustling city, has allowed me the time to really slow down,” Randi says. “I enjoy experimenting with a variety of mediums, but I find that I mostly work with acrylics. The main point, in the end, is just to get it out of my system and onto something.” And she’s done exactly that. With seascapes that draw one’s gaze immediately into a kaleidoscope of rich colors, along with a growing number of creations that include sea creatures, native flowers such as jobells, mermaids and Buddhist-inspired mandalas, it didn’t take long for Randi’s art to gain a following. “The process hasn’t been without its challenges though,” Randi says thoughtfully. During her early days on the island, she wanted to create and sell only originally crafted pieces – but while that’s a noble concept, it isn’t necessarily the easiest strategy to pull

Brush

off. “Now I have prints available,” she adds, “so everyone can have a piece of my art!”

In order to showcase her work, Randi also spent years frequenting numerous local art shows with a tent in tow – which later led her to organize and participate in the annual Rodanthe-based Island Art Shows for six years before becoming the president of the Dare County Arts Council for an additional two years.

And other circumstances – both large and small – have shaped her artistic process along the way. From the birth of her son, Huxley, in 2019, to the need to adapt to a post-pandemic world and the arrival of her daughter, Juniper, this past winter, Randi’s working life has continued to evolve.

“It can be really hard to find balance with kids,” Randi confides. “But now, when I get to paint, it makes it even more special.” And as for her answer to having less canvas time? Digital art.

“As a mom I don’t always have time to pull out all my painting supplies,” she explains. “With the ability to simply open my computer, I can now create art and do my mom thing at the same time. This has been the best challenge of my life, and I love it – though there was definitely a learning curve!”

With an ever-growing online presence, Randi’s website features a bit of everything, including greeting cards, jewelry, clothing, hats, bags, stickers and home goods – and, of course, her signature paintings can be found in a number of local galleries on Hatteras Island and the more northern beaches. She even recently started a collaboration with Kitty Hawk Kites that’s led to her designs being printed on a variety of one-of-a-kind kites and flags.

Pursuing any new career is never easy, especially in the world of art – but with the right approach and the drive to follow a dream, it certainly seems as though the sky is the limit.

“You have to get your art out there,” Randi advises. “You have to always keep creating and sharing – your art will attract those who love it, and, in return, it’s important to show gratitude to those who support you.

“One of the things I love most about this place is the community,” Randi adds about what’s kept her artwork going. “We were welcomed with open arms, and given a push in the right direction – so we instantly felt at home here.”

Though Randi’s artwork takes many forms, her first love is original acrylic paintings – and capturing images of the natural world and other more fantastical sea creatures (pictured above and right).