About Susan Schaefer — Canadian Artist
About the Artist
I currently live, work and create in my studio outside of Qualicum Beach, British Columbia on beautiful Vancouver Island. Born and raised on a farm in Saskatchewan, I began my passion for colour and art at an early age.
One summer I converted one of my dad's old granaries into an "Artist's Studio". I had grandiose ideas of becoming an artist and in that first "studio" my imagination could run rampant. I still have my very first oil painting entitled "A Partridge in a Pear Tree", dated 1974. After graduation I headed out west. With an ongoing thirst for artistic knowledge, I attended several classes in painting and design at the University of Alberta while working full time with the Alberta government.
My first introduction to computer graphic design came in the early 1980's when I enrolled in a summer class at the Emily Carr College of Art & Design in Vancouver. That was one of the pivotal points in my life.
From west to east to Toronto I engaged my energy into the world of graphic arts. I learned everything I could about the printing process, taking numerous classes. Many of my clients were artists and art galleries, thus maintaining my involvement in the arts.
From there I headed south spending several years travelling the Caribbean Islands and Latin America while pursuing my new passion for scuba diving. The ocean provided a colourful and exciting world to explore, photograph and paint.
In 1999, I returned to Saskatchewan to spend more time with my family. I purchased a home on a small acreage and started a graphic arts company called "Young At Art". Shortly afterwards, my dog Cheyenne came into my life. Over the next several years I build up my business by working hard and delivering quality work.
I produced several publications a year while in Saskatchewan including the Travel Guide and Prairie Guide Magazine. I continue to design & print the Valley Calendar & Travel Guide for clients in the Qu'Appelle Valley.
Move to BC
In July 2007, I relocated with Cheyenne to Qualicum Beach from Fort Qu'Appelle to concentrate on my fine arts. I began a new quarterly publication called Island Arts Magazine with first issue published in March 2008.
I am a member of TOSH (The Old School House) in Qualicum Beach and I continue to grow artistically by organising and attending artist workshops.
I am a professional artist working mainly in watercolour and acrylic paints. I enjoy both equally, so rather than choose just one medium, I thought why not do both.
One of my favorite quotes is by Dr. John F. Demartini:
"Love what you do...and do what you love."
I certainly do!
Susan Schaefer
Canadian Artist