Transformational Drawing and Watercolor
"I will never look at the world in the same way again." —Roberta Conroy, Palm Springs, CA
"I was supposed to have died by the end of 2015 and got a second chance at life. I had been involved with art my entire life and had stopped doing soft line drawings once I started working on computers 20 years ago. When I was sick, my husband tried his best to get me involved in art again as a way of healing but I had completely lost my touch and could not do it. During the latter stages of my illness, I was unable to use my hands very well and for a year now I have regained my strength and use of my hands and legs. Watercolor has always been one of my favorite mediums and I had really hoped to be able to pick up my talents but I needed direction.
"I enrolled in Suzanne’s foundation watercolor course and decided to continue with her Watercolor through History class. With Suzanne’s expertise and guidance, I have finally gotten back into painting and doing something I really enjoy! This is a really big deal to me and my family considering where I was 2 years ago. We never thought this would be possible. I really like Suzanne’s style of work and the fact that she is so passionate about what she does. She has made a huge impact on my life and has given me joy in art again! --Lisa Satterfield Shank
"I enrolled in Suzanne’s foundation watercolor course and decided to continue with her Watercolor through History class. With Suzanne’s expertise and guidance, I have finally gotten back into painting and doing something I really enjoy! This is a really big deal to me and my family considering where I was 2 years ago. We never thought this would be possible. I really like Suzanne’s style of work and the fact that she is so passionate about what she does. She has made a huge impact on my life and has given me joy in art again! --Lisa Satterfield Shank
"Suzanne's online Drawing and Watercolor course is the best gift I have given myself. I have learned so much about observation, taking time to really look at something. Her course has helped me develop an awareness of the world through an artist's eyes. Now when something captures my eye,
I think how would I paint that. I have learned to focus, take time to draw and paint, and feel good about what I've done.
"Being in the inaugural online class of Draw and Watercolor Through History has been an artistic growing experience. I have learned so much! Suzanne has crafted lessons on many different periods in history, chosen a work of art from that period, and challenged us to recreate it! I most appreciate her focus on women artists and their great contributions to the body of work!
"I'm so impressed with the way she has set up our class. Her instructions are very clear, and the videos are great. I love that I can replay them. Everything makes sense from one lesson to the next. She keeps telling us how well we're doing, and I wanted to say how well she does as a teacher." --Suzanne Mather Cohen, Bloomsburg, PA
I think how would I paint that. I have learned to focus, take time to draw and paint, and feel good about what I've done.
"Being in the inaugural online class of Draw and Watercolor Through History has been an artistic growing experience. I have learned so much! Suzanne has crafted lessons on many different periods in history, chosen a work of art from that period, and challenged us to recreate it! I most appreciate her focus on women artists and their great contributions to the body of work!
"I'm so impressed with the way she has set up our class. Her instructions are very clear, and the videos are great. I love that I can replay them. Everything makes sense from one lesson to the next. She keeps telling us how well we're doing, and I wanted to say how well she does as a teacher." --Suzanne Mather Cohen, Bloomsburg, PA
"The path to becoming an artist begins with one mark. I respect and appreciate Suzanne’s talents as an artist and teacher and feel good about my progress under her tutelage.
"I had dabbled in painting with acrylics, but I wanted a change to a more transparent, light-filled look. I wanted to feel my brush glide easily across the paper; I wanted the duality of control vs freedom (happy accidents) and surprise.
"The on-line format works! The step-by-step demonstrations took me on a journey of discovery. I soon learned that I had my own style of making marks unique to me. Through practice, I learned color theory and the fascinating ways water moves on paper. Each week I was eager to build upon previously introduced skills and to undertake learning something new. With practice and Suzanne’s encouragement, my confidence continues to grow." —Tracy Bernstein, Encinitas CA
"I had dabbled in painting with acrylics, but I wanted a change to a more transparent, light-filled look. I wanted to feel my brush glide easily across the paper; I wanted the duality of control vs freedom (happy accidents) and surprise.
"The on-line format works! The step-by-step demonstrations took me on a journey of discovery. I soon learned that I had my own style of making marks unique to me. Through practice, I learned color theory and the fascinating ways water moves on paper. Each week I was eager to build upon previously introduced skills and to undertake learning something new. With practice and Suzanne’s encouragement, my confidence continues to grow." —Tracy Bernstein, Encinitas CA
"I’ve been working with Suzanne for several years, starting with her Online Drawing and Watercolor course, through her transformational group coaching course, as a private coaching client, and now am pursuing the art history practicums. These new courses got me to copying classic artworks, something I never would have felt I could do. I also wish I had know some of these things when traveling through the art museums of Europe.
"I started out feeling quite inadequate over my artistic ability, but wanted to improve.
I struggled with negative self-judgments. Suzanne was consistently supportive, and the structure of her courses helped me do things that I never quite had the courage to try. From there, her Life is the First Art group coaching course brought together all kinds of practices and experiences, much of it focusing on awareness, mindfulness, extreme self-care, and expanding my experience of life to include the senses and physical activity as well as envisioning outcomes, self-acceptance, and much, much more.
"By working together through private coaching sessions, I made progress towards my life goals thanks to Suzanne’s efforts (and mine too). I have greater self-confidence with my art efforts; I now believe it is possible to reach my goals; I no longer have to be “perfect”, I can risk change. I am building up many healthy habits that will support my efforts in the future.
"Throughout it all, Suzanne is always supportive, accepting, understanding. And she brings to her work a wide array of resources, references, and points of view. I feel grateful to have had her support all along the way." —Linda Evans, Prineville, OR
"I started out feeling quite inadequate over my artistic ability, but wanted to improve.
I struggled with negative self-judgments. Suzanne was consistently supportive, and the structure of her courses helped me do things that I never quite had the courage to try. From there, her Life is the First Art group coaching course brought together all kinds of practices and experiences, much of it focusing on awareness, mindfulness, extreme self-care, and expanding my experience of life to include the senses and physical activity as well as envisioning outcomes, self-acceptance, and much, much more.
"By working together through private coaching sessions, I made progress towards my life goals thanks to Suzanne’s efforts (and mine too). I have greater self-confidence with my art efforts; I now believe it is possible to reach my goals; I no longer have to be “perfect”, I can risk change. I am building up many healthy habits that will support my efforts in the future.
"Throughout it all, Suzanne is always supportive, accepting, understanding. And she brings to her work a wide array of resources, references, and points of view. I feel grateful to have had her support all along the way." —Linda Evans, Prineville, OR
"Suzanne is an effective teacher and coach. She has the ability to see a situation clearly and helps you do the same. She is smart, honest and discerning - able to give constructive instruction in a non-threatening and non-demeaning manner. Not only can she clarify a dilemma, but Suzanne presents good suggestions for a path forward." —Carol Ezell-Gilson, Charleston, SC
"I feel like working with you was such a positive experience for me and it's absolutely changed my life!
I feel so awakened and open and just so ready to move on to the next thing. So optimistic about the coming year. I'm really grateful for the class and consider it one of my great successes this year."
—Andie Roberts, Nashville, TN
"I'm such a face-to-face communicator, I never thought an online environment could be effective for teaching. I never thought I'd like the video format. But in your online course, I'm not distracted by extraneous things that would otherwise catch my attention. Even better, I don't have to drive anywhere!
I feel like it's the benefit of private tutoring with the advantage of other students' work to look at. You've put together a really well-planned, well-thought out, beautifully presented product with tremendous depth and breadth.
I want to thank you for this class. I might have put off drawing for the rest of my life." — Susan Spak, Storrs, CT
I feel like it's the benefit of private tutoring with the advantage of other students' work to look at. You've put together a really well-planned, well-thought out, beautifully presented product with tremendous depth and breadth.
I want to thank you for this class. I might have put off drawing for the rest of my life." — Susan Spak, Storrs, CT
"As I am beginning to see, all of this is a process and practice is the key. While I have played and "practiced" on my own or with the help of "how to" art books, they did not afford me the keys to the castle. The strategies you have taught so far are insightful, and building the solid groundwork for my eventual success at this endeavor. I am learning the right way to practice and it is so much fun!
"If the painting doesn't look right or is overdone, it just goes into a box under my desk and I try again. I was talking to my youngest sister and she said she could never do that, it would have to be perfect or it would drive her crazy. That used to be me. Can't tell you how delighted I am that truly, perfection is no longer my goal.
"There is skill, talent and, most importantly, an art to sharing what you know and do so well with someone who doesn't know anything at all. You are a master." —Lynne Holland, online student, Nashville, TN
"If the painting doesn't look right or is overdone, it just goes into a box under my desk and I try again. I was talking to my youngest sister and she said she could never do that, it would have to be perfect or it would drive her crazy. That used to be me. Can't tell you how delighted I am that truly, perfection is no longer my goal.
"There is skill, talent and, most importantly, an art to sharing what you know and do so well with someone who doesn't know anything at all. You are a master." —Lynne Holland, online student, Nashville, TN
"In terms of living my life, the online course format provided me with a safe and supportive group environment in which I could firstly deal with personal grief, and secondly transform mountains of self doubt about my ability to do art into upbeat confidence and courage - there's no room for self-criticism in this course, perseverance and hope trumps negativity, and what doesn't work today can succeed brilliantly tomorrow. Literally, personally and practically, this course turns darkness into light." —Heidi Krzyzaniak, Federal Way, WA
"Suzanne is an amazing teacher who anchors her talent with a warriors heart. Just when you think you'll never be able to do it, she offers up some wonderful wisdom that perks you up and moves you forward."
—Cathleen Smith, Nashville, TN
—Cathleen Smith, Nashville, TN
"Thanks for breaking my "I can't" barriers. You have changed my life for the better forever." —Jan Adams, Mankato, MN
"I am loving your guidance and wonderful gifts of art and teaching! Thanks so much, first of all, for your endless patience and careful, gentle, teaching style. It comes from a beautiful soul, and such marvelous talent! I have also enjoyed meeting and sharing time with the other students.
"It has been a grand start personally for me in a new direction. Reflecting what I see, and hopefully improving the degree to how I see, will be a delight and challenge for a long time. Thank you so much for giving yourself to me. This will continue to be a beautiful gift." —Ann Harris, Nashville, TN
"It has been a grand start personally for me in a new direction. Reflecting what I see, and hopefully improving the degree to how I see, will be a delight and challenge for a long time. Thank you so much for giving yourself to me. This will continue to be a beautiful gift." —Ann Harris, Nashville, TN