Biography

Biographical Information about Susan Ashley

A native of Ohio, I have lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since my pre-school years. Formative years were spent in Burlingame, California, where there was lots of time and freedom to explore the surrounding hills and vacant lots of the town. My home is now in San Jose.   San Jose is the 10th largest city in the U.S. with "Silicon Valley" as it's sobriquet. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA.I worked for a gallery and became an interior designer. Since 2001, I am a full-time artist since 2002. I received a scholarship to the Academy of Art in San Francisco in 2007. I have Signature Membership in the California Watercolor Association. Painting is a passion for me and color defines my work. Donna Zagotta, an internationally known artist, complimented my work saying, "you are a colorist." Drawn to the arts all my life.  My  interest in landscapes and icons of the Bay Area are particularly compelling for me. Juxtaposing the exotic as well as the familiar is significant in my work.