Suzie Zuzek de Poo (1920–2011) was an American artist and designer whose work radiated a rare blend of innocence, elegance, and technical brilliance. Born in Buffalo, New York, she studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, where she developed a disciplined foundation in drawing, watercolor, and textile design. After serving in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, Zuzek settled in Key West, Florida, where the tropical landscape and vibrant local culture became lasting sources of inspiration.

In Key West, she joined the community of artists at Key West Hand Print Fabrics, creating hundreds of intricate, hand-drawn patterns that became the hallmark of Lilly Pulitzer’s signature style. Zuzek’s designs—filled with radiant color, stylized animals, and flowing botanical forms—balanced childlike wonder with refined artistry. Her ability to capture the natural world with both precision and imagination lent her textiles an enduring charm that felt both sophisticated and joyful.

Beyond her celebrated textile work, Zuzek explored porcelain, wire, and glass, crafting delicate sculptures and decorative pieces that revealed the same poetic sensibility found in her prints. Whether rendered on fabric or in three-dimensional form, her art reflected an innocence untouched by artifice and an elegance rooted in deep respect for nature’s beauty—an unmistakable harmony between playfulness and grace.