Many years ago, as a high school student, I fell in love with the art of the abstract expressionists.  I loved their use of color and movement.  I thought it would be wonderful to paint as expressively and spontaneously as I imagined they did. (Today I know better. I understand they worked hard and put much effort and planning into their paintings.)

While I did not immediately become an artist, I used art often as a teacher of special needs children and with my children when they were young.  On rainy afternoons, I covered the kitchen table with newspaper, lit candles and joined with my children in holding crayons in the flames and dripping the colored wax onto construction paper.  It was our version of abstract expressionism. 

I went on to study art  at Bowling Green State University, trained as an Art  Therapist at Vermont College and  used art in personal exploration and with clients for many years  in the practice of Art Therapy.  Despite the satisfaction I had in my work, I looked forward to the time when I could make art full time.

Today, I live in St Petersburg, Florida and am, happily, the full time artist I dreamed of being.  I devote many hours each week to art, going to studios, having a model privately and working with my mentor, Michael Newberry.

727.385.5886

sjohn1@hotmail.com

 www.sue-johnson.blogspot.com