We had the good fortune of connecting with Love and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Love, what do you attribute your success to?
To be honest, I think always being involved in the journey is the real success in life. I love to learn, and in that vain, I’d say even the moments I turned out wrong were a success for me. Everytime I ruined a canvas, every ball of molten silver I chucked into the scrap bin, and every argument I lost, these were successful moments for me. It’s all part of the great adventure. If you’re having an adventure, you’re succeeding at being alive. Really what else if life for?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’d say I am most proud of the fact that I am still standing. It has not been easy. For a long time it felt like life was actively trying to take me down. I have been to near death and back a few times, I spent a short time homeless after a resistant strain of infection took over my kidney. I lost everything and had to rebuild from the ground up. In my early 20s I was on my way up, gigs and events every week. Offers like crazy. I went under the name Suzy Sins Studio at the time because I wanted to give my love with open arms to every hurting person others sat in judgement over. The image of “Suzy” I think is a very prissy, vanilla, perfect girl. In reality Suzy sins, like the rest of us. She is human. And at the end of the day, she is still perfect in my mind. Over the years I have evolved, Ive simplified. I had been afraid to use my real name for the longest time. Im a trauma survivor and I was always afraid to be found by the person that almost destroyed me and stalked by them. It feels so good to just be me- Mad Love- (Making A Difference Love). Ive learned through all of this that Im strong and I have the power to manifest my reality. Thats what im really excited about- Im not afraid anymore.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man, well we gotta get to the water. I love being on the water, jetskiis are the greatest, so that is definitely happening. Lets do the Aria and walk through the galleries. Im not a big party person, im gonna take a perfect day at the park, a mountain hike or a day lazing and bingeing movies over almost anything. My favorite sushi place- Sushi Twister- this is a must for any special occasion. There is a museum close to me I really love to visit, its a whole neighborhood of homes once lived in by people who founded Las Vegas. All their earthly belongings are still in the places they left them. Wicked cool!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I really first and foremost want to recognize my Aunt Gayle. If it had not been for her love I really do not know what would have happened to me. She was my closest ally, my rock and my shield during the most difficult time in my childhood and young adulthood. She never wavered in her belief or her support, she was one of the strongest people I ever knew. I wish she could be in the flesh to share this with me, but Ill settle for her spirit. It is also absolutely vital I recognize my kids. My eldest son Valentine has been one of my best friends for over 18 years. He has grown into an absolutely incredible young man and I dont know what I would do without him. My little guy Sebastian is the light of my life, and already such a little artist soul. They both set my soul on fire and make me want to be a better person every day.

I’m also eternally grateful to my mom. Our relationship has always been a little complicated and those are the ones we learn the most about ourselves from I think. She has been here for me in ways no one could be. Shout out to her incredible man, Jim and my little brother Jimmy for being the greatest step family ever. And Nana you were the greatest of all the showgirls in Vegas-we all miss you!  Love you guys!

Website: www.madloveart.com

Instagram: @madlove_theartist

Image Credits
Images of Artwork by madlove the artist, portrait of myself by @Artistbfly
Angela Gerber @artistbfly

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