“I was very creative while growing up and loved to make things with my hands. I even made a stop-motion animation. I made little sculptures with clay, tiny plants with strips of paper, tiny books for my Barbie dolls, and even carpeted and wallpapered my Barbie dollhouse.

In 1991, I received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from the University of Texas at Austin. In 2000, I was introduced to Debbie Boyd and Imagine Art. With Imagine Art, I started showing and selling my artwork. I got a Certificate in Multi-Media from Austin Community College in 2002. In 2004, I obtained my D.B.A. with the name ‘Suzanimation!" and opened my own art studio. My techniques and media usually arise out of inspiration. I like to paint with water-soluble oils on canvas. I like to work in the styles of Realism and Expressionism.

Art plays a role in living with my disability by giving me something positive, good and beautiful to experience and create.

While at U.T. I felt the arts were most effective in my education because I had some very capable professors that helped me ‘blossom’ artistically. My favorite professor, Vincent Mariani, really inspired me to do my best work.

Today, I feel that I have become a lot more confident and have once again ‘blossomed’ in my art. My paintings are vibrant and bold with emotion. I have gone from being timid and clumsy, to being bold and confident.