Songwriter and Painter Susanna Clark Passes Away

Susanna Clark with Guy Clark (L) and Townes Van Zandt (R) at Van Zandt's house in 1989. Photo: Alan Mayor

MusicRow sends its condolences to family and friends of songwriter and painter Susanna Clark, who passed away in her sleep at home earlier this week after a lengthy illness. She was 73.

Long an important part of Nashville’s creative community, Susanna Clark’s songs have been recorded by her husband Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Miranda Lambert, Jerry Jeff Walker, and many others. Her song “Come From the Heart” (co-written with Richard Leigh) was a hit for Kathy Mattea in 1989.

A native of Atlanta, Texas, she met Guy Clark in Oklahoma in 1969 and the couple relocated to Nashville in 1971. They were married on songwriter Mickey Newbury’s houseboat in 1972 and befriended songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Rodney Crowell.

Clark was also a former art teacher whose paintings were used for the covers of Willie Nelson’s Stardust, Guy Clark’s Old No. 1 and Emmylou Harris’ Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town. A line from “Easy From Now On,” a song Clark co-wrote with Carlene Carter, formed Harris’ album title and inspired the cover painting.

A spokesperson for the family says that there will be no funeral service, in accordance with Susanna’s wishes.