Flower Power Painting

Background: Susan R. Schlepp is a dynamic expressionist artist from Sammamish, WA, born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. She has a passion for painting and printmaking, inspired from the natural world and her inner landscape. Her art flows instinctively with each piece having a unique story to tell, uplifting the viewer and enhancing the space it resides in. Motivation: Susan's motivation is the sheer joy & freedom found in artistic expression paired with a heartfelt desire to give back to charitable organizations through donations of art to events. Susan gifts at least 10% of sales to The Nature Conservancy because our natural world deserves to be protected. Healing: In 2013, Susan began pursuing art in response to suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Playing with color was deeply healing and allowed her to rise above gloomy skies and drizzly days. She discovered that creating art offers a tangible way to express and process a multitude of thoughts and emotions. She now harnesses the full spectrum of color in all its hues, shades, tints and tones to lift the soul and help navigate the ups and downs of life. Endeavors: Spring 2025, Susan will continue her art education at Bellevue College. Winter 2025, she expanded her skillset in Honolulu & San Diego with experimental techniques & formal classes. Spring 2024, she participated in a week-long online workshop to delve deeper into design, value & color. Summer 2023, Susan was invited to Santa Catarina in Puglia, Italy to participate in a special art project where she created & photographed her temporary art installations in the Porto Selvaggio Nature Preserve. While there, she made natural pigment paint from the rock sediment, produced prints from native botanicals and painted daily. Winter 2023, Susan was an artist-in-residence at the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica in Venice, Italy for six weeks where she painted daily and learned many printmaking techniques, all while soaking in the art, architecture & culture of this magnificent "floating" city. Giving Back: ​Susan has volunteered at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission Art Therapy program for the unsheltered and curated the pop-up art show at the monthly Pioneer Square Art Walk. She has led art classes with youth at the Denny Detention Center and witnessed the power of art to positively transform states of mind. She occasionally teaches workshops and loves to encourage people to unlock their inner artist and reap the many benefits.