Susan Schwake - artist & teacher

Susan Schwake is an art instructor in her own art school where she has created her own curriculum. Her vision to teach and share art on her own terms has grown into artstream studios, which includes a contemporary gallery, an adjunct teaching staff of three, workshops and retreats most every day of the year, and their own full media design firm.

Susan Schwake grew up in a creative family with her father painting and her mother playing music. Her mother supported her interest in art from a very young age and made sure that she followed her dream. Doing just that, Susan studied fine art at Plymouth State University with a concentration in painting and printmaking in the 70's. Since that time she has continued her studies by working daily in her studios and with master classes in the processes of making art. For the past 16 years she has run an independent art school which she developed and opened for children and adults. She also has worked as an artist in residence in many public and private schools and community organizations.

Her artwork is influenced by dreams, nature and people she meets as well as the ones who she doesn't. Color informs her work most and the "making" part of making art is most dear to her. She tries to follow the rule to make a line every day and finds that through that process she learns the most. She does this in her studios alongside her husband Rainer who makes each day a little more wonderful than the one before.