Ever since childhood I have been interested in art. But with a husband and three children, a teaching career and volunteering, there never seemed to be the time to pursue painting. It was not until I retired to Cape Cod, that I began to paint. Given an easel, paints and a class at the Cape Cod Museum of Art by my children, as a Christmas gift, I timidly began working in acrylics in 2012. Since that time, I have become a member of the Yarmouth Art Guild and a juried member of the Cape Cod Art Center, studying under artist and instructor, Odin Smith, challenging myself to paint landscapes and seascapes of Cape Cod, figures, and inanimate objects found in the gardens and along the shorelines of the Cape.

As my children aged, I managed a few night photography classes at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, which gave me confidence with composition and opportunities to shoot landscapes, flowers and architecture. Inspired by the beautiful surroundings of Cape Cod, I became a member of the Dennis/Yarmouth Newcomers' nature photography group, giving me, once again, more opportunities to take photographs that capture the essence and beauty of Cape Cod, that I now paint. My paintings tend towards the realism of nature, while capturing the source of light. Recently I have been inspired by photos of my family members and friends to bring figures into my paintings.

My “Nautilus” painting, won the Peoples’ Choice Award and an Honorable Mention Award in the “Class Act” exhibit at the Cape Cod Art Center. I have exhibited and sold at the Cape Cod Cultural Center, Cape Cod Art Center, Yarmouth Town Hall, the Dennis Library and Oliver’s Restaurant.

Susan was again awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2021 Class Act exhibit at the Cape Cod Art Center for “Bayside Sail.”