As a child I was always fascinated with the natural world. My father was a school teacher and one of his colleagues was a science teacher who started me on my first insect collection. I was always out in the yard digging for worms, creepy crawlers and insects. My first “pet” was an ant named “Roger”. I kept him in a glass jar and was fascinated with his every move. During the summer months I would go to sleep away camp and learn to respect and explore the wild places. We spent time near rivers and lakes. I learned to swim, hike, canoe and camp. These are the things that stayed with me as I became an adult.

When I decided to be an artist in my adult life my father was concerned about how I would make a living. Teaching had been good to him and he pressed me to teach for financial stability. I resisted because I didn’t want to make art part time. I studied textiles and handweaving in college and had one of the most inspirational teachers, Sheila Fox. I became a professional handweaver and traveled the craft circuit selling handwoven clothing for 15 years.

I decided to work as a fine artist after traveling to Costa Rica. The exposure to the tropics with all its diversity and beauty overwhelmed me and I knew my life would never be the same. I am awestruck by nature and as I paint I try to convey this feeling to others. I try to capture the moment when I first encounter something so beautiful onto my paper. I have found a wonderful balance of teaching, traveling and painting that has afforded me to live the lifestyle I only thought was possible in a dream.

Susan Ahlstrom | Francesca Azzara | Joan Dreyer | Jim Fuess | Mindy Lighthipe | Thom Lynch | Nancy Ori | Paul Pinkman

All images © 2005, the artist