Although I have a background in the arts, primarily music and writing, I painted quite sporadically if at all, maybe one work every year or so. It was a love I did not have time to indulge very often , related to the responsibilities of rearing six children alone and working as an RN to support them.

Ten years ago my entire life was catapulted from its' usual path by a severe back injury which left me totally disabled, unable to work. Overnight everything I believed in was drastically altered; it seemed my life was stuck in re-wind. The rigors of constant pain and lost independence pushed me into an abyss of depression I was uncertain I had the strength to combat. Because I am allergic to most narcotics, I was also dealing with issues of chronic pain I was at a loss to cope with.

My sister remembered I had always loved to paint, and deeply concerned for my well-being, started sending me student-grade art supplies and subscriptions to various artists' journals to occupy me. It worked. The very first time I put brush to paper, several hours flew by and I realized how diminished my awareness of pain was. I started to study the journals voraciously, painted daily and totally immersed myself in the practice of art. I remembered what it meant to be happy. 

I realized I had to make a decision whether to live or die, and I am not ashamed to say Art saved my life, provided me a desperately needed focus that took me outside myself, made me see my world from a different perspective. What started out as pain-relief blossomed into first a passion and now a way of life, a new career. Art returned to me the desire to live and thrive and create, equipped me with the tools necessary to survive. I am entirely self-taught and to this day study the creative techniques of making Art every day.

As you look at my work you are seeing my physical pain, only transmogrified into another form, just as ice assumes another form as it melts into water. Art is my vehicle for discharging the negativity of suffering; I believe it can do that for not only the artist, but the viewer as well.

My style tends toward Post-Impressionist with a strong Fauvist influence, and I am quite fond of Abstract Expressionism. I use old world classic techniques to create contemporary works. I make serious commitment to the study of art; I move in evolution through various periods in my work and absorb something of each one, further flavoring my art. My style is always changing; I am quite purposeful in that regard.

I often show in Europe, won an award in the International Bird Show in Bejing, China in '05 and a second International award in The Asociacion Internationale Ruiz Aznar in Granada, Spain, in '06. My work was recently chosen by Extreme MakeOver: Home Edition for their Warwick, RI project, I am very proud to say. I have work hanging in four countries and in a Museum in Durango,Mexico, and I'm grateful to have collectors from Oregon to West Virginia, from Maine to Florida.

Although the three dimensional qualities of oils consistently astounds & delights me, I find excitement in the potential of any creative medium and am always experimenting, learning, attempting. I conduct workshops to teach artists how to market & promote their work and will soon be launching a series of e-module painting lessons which can be previewed and purchased. I advocate for the legal rights of artists everywhere whenever I can and teach artists how to avoid being ensnared in dead-end contractual obligations.

Thank you for your support of living artists, and I leave you with the words of Pablo Picasso:

"Art washes away the dust of everyday living'.... I can tell you with authority, Pablo was right. 

 Warmly: 

 Susi Franco