Susan Ryders inspiration to paint came from her father, who was a gifted amateur painter. From this early start, she went on to studied at the Byam Shaw School of Art, under Bernard Dunstan RA and Maurice de Sausmarez ARA from 1961 to 1964. She has developed as an outstanding painter of interiors and portraiture. Her ability to capture feeling and atmosphere in oil and watercolour is reflected by the number of awards she has won, including the Alexon Portrait Award in 1990 and The New English Critics prize in 1991.
Her work can be found in many private and public collections including Peers Collection, James Capel Co Ltd and Allen & Overy. She has been commissioned for portraits of H.M. The Queen and The Princess of Wales.