Susan likes to make art about humanity’s relationship with the environment, a theme that she expresses through various oil painting series. As a third generation Oregonian her current work is an environmental commentary about the endangered and native species of plants in the western United States that are threatened by urban expansion, agriculture development, wildfire and climate change. These paintings are inspired by the botanical style of the 17th century and leverage this particular style to communicate and focus attention to these species and the environmental threats they face. Susan received a B.F.A. from the California College of Arts and a M.A. in Instructional Design from San Francisco State University. She is a full-time artist and maintains a studio at the NW Marine Art Works building in Portland.