Susan DiFelice Design
Original paintings & illustration inspired by the equestrian lifestyle & coastal adventures.
Coastal Collection
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‘East Beach’ – Original Oil Painting
$350.00 -
‘Island Lookout’ – Original Oil Painting
$350.00 -
‘Ocean Landscape 1’ – Original Oil Painting
$95.00 -
‘Ocean Landscape 2’ – Original Oil Painting
$95.00 -
‘Salt Air’ – Original Oil Painting
$350.00 -
‘The Point’ – Original Oil Painting
$350.00 -
Golden Hour – Original Oil Painting
$250.00 -
Little White Egret – Original Oil Painting
$165.00 -
Oyster No. 1 – Original Oil Painting
$795.00 -
Oyster No. 2 – Original Oil Painting
$450.00 -
Sentinel White Egret – Original Oil Painting
$650.00 -
White Egret No. 2 – Original Oil Painting
$325.00
Recent Projects
The Pony Island Illustrations
The Pony Island is an educational brand I created to inspire the next generation of horse lovers through original artwork, storytelling, and interactive learning. At the heart of the brand are six illustrated pony characters, each with a unique personality, breed, and backstory that guide children through courses, games, and printable activities.
From expressive character design to educational diagrams and playful spot illustrations, I created a cohesive visual language that brings the world of The Pony Island to life. Every illustration is designed to make learning about horses approachable, engaging, and memorable while maintaining an authentic connection to the equestrian community.
The project showcases a wide range of illustration styles, including character design, vector illustration, educational graphics, icons, infographics, and marketing artwork. Together, these illustrations create a recognizable brand that encourages curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of horses.
The Pony Island Website
The Pony Island is an interactive learning platform I founded to help children build confidence, knowledge, and a lifelong love of horses. Designed for young equestrians, parents, instructors, home schoolers, and any young horse lover, the site combines engaging online courses, educational printables, games, and original illustrations to make learning about horses fun and accessible.
From the initial concept to the finished platform, I led every aspect of the project, including branding, UX/UI design, website development, curriculum creation, illustration, graphic design, content strategy, and product development. Every course, printable, game, and visual element was thoughtfully designed to create an engaging, kid-friendly learning experience.
The Pony Island was recognized with a First Place American Horse Publications (AHP) Equine Media Award for Equine-Related Website, honoring its educational value, thoughtful user experience, and cohesive visual design.
As the platform continues to grow, The Pony Island has expanded into a complete educational ecosystem featuring digital courses, printable activities, games, and original characters that encourage children to learn both online and at the barn.
Rider’s Blockâ„¢ Equestrian Activity Decks
Custom illustration and packaging design for Stable Mind’s Rider’s Blockâ„¢ card game series. I created original equestrian-themed vector artwork and designed the product packaging, developing a cohesive visual identity across multiple decks. The first Rider’s Blockâ„¢ decks are now available for purchase through Stable Mind, and I’m proud to be featured as one of the company’s illustrators.
‘Lancer’ Oil Painting
An oil portrait of a bay sport horse, focused on capturing expression, presence, and quiet elegance. The soft, atmospheric background allows the horse’s eye and refined features to become the focal point of the composition.
Expect the Wrench
Created for author and dressage educator Sally O’Dwyer, Expect the Wrench is an editorial illustration inspired by the idea that setbacks are an inevitable part of every rider’s journey. Rather than fearing unexpected challenges, the piece encourages equestrians to anticipate them, adapt, and keep moving forward.
The illustration depicts a horse calmly navigating a storm of falling wrenches as a visual metaphor for the interruptions, frustrations, and surprises that every horse and rider encounter. Using a limited grayscale palette and a clean, graphic style, the artwork balances a serious message with a touch of humor, creating an image that is both memorable and relatable to equestrians.
The illustration accompanied Sally’s article “Expect the Wrench” on YourDressage.org.
Progress Is Possible Website
I partnered with dressage educator and author Sally O’Dwyer to design and develop the Progress Is Possible website, creating an online presence that reflects her encouraging approach to dressage education and rider mindset.
The website was designed to feel clean, elegant, and approachable, balancing classic typography with equestrian imagery to reinforce Sally’s message that meaningful progress comes through consistency, confidence, and thoughtful training. From the user experience and page layouts to the visual branding, every element was crafted to support her coaching services, educational content, and published book.
In addition to designing and building the website, I integrated the Progress Is Possible brand identity throughout the site, creating a cohesive experience across digital and print. The project brought together web design, branding, illustration, and content strategy to establish a professional platform that reflects Sally’s expertise and connects with dressage riders around the world. Visit dresssagegoals.com
Progress Is Possible Brand Identity
For this project, I collaborated with freestyle dressage creator, motivational force of nature, and author Sally O’Dwyer to create the visual identity for Progress Is Possible, a brand centered on positive, achievable dressage training. The logo features a horse and rider in harmony, reinforcing the message that consistent, thoughtful training leads to meaningful progress.
Designed to be both timeless and versatile, the logo serves as the foundation of the brand and appears across Sally’s website, social media, marketing materials, and her published book. Beyond the logo itself, I also collaborated on the book’s illustration and design, helping create a cohesive visual identity that extends across multiple platforms.
Bathe the Horse Game
Illustration and game creation bathing a horse. Click the green flag to begin. Click and hold the item you need to use to clean the horse starting with the hose and working your way to the right.
Animated Horse Skeleton With Lead Changes
Illustration and creation of an online horse education game. Click the Left Lead button to change the canter lead. Pause the horse and then move it forward or backward one step at a time.
About Susan
Artist & Illustrator
My work explores the connection between horses, the sea, and the places that stay with us long after we leave them.
Creative Partnerships
Rider’s Blockâ„¢ Activity Card Decks
One of my favorite types of projects is collaborating with companies that are creating thoughtful resources for the equestrian community. Stable Mind's Rider's Blockâ„¢ card game series was exactly that kind of project. I partnered with Stable Mind to create the...
The Pony Island
An award-winning educational platform that combines original illustration, website design, and interactive learning to inspire the next generation of horse lovers. As founder and creative director, Susan DiFelice designed every aspect of The Pony Island, which earned First Place in the Equine-Related Website category at the American Horse Publications Equine Media Awards.
Drawn to Dressage: Illustrating for The Chronicle of the Horse
A collaborative series for The Chronicle of the Horse featuring Eliza Sydnor’s dressage instruction paired with Susan DiFelice’s original illustrations, bringing training concepts to life through visual storytelling.