In the early 1980s, DocSusan left Europe for North America, an adventure that's ongoing...
Her jobs have included teaching English to francophones in Québec, working in PR for the British government (Expo ’86), coordinating bilingual educational programing for a Canadian TV Station (TVOntario), giving art instruction in French (Toronto French School), consulting at several North American universities (University of Toronto, Vermont College, Union Institute), leading group therapy on a psychiatric unit (the Toronto Hospital) and creating new recreational programing at a premier US health spa (Canyon Ranch).
DocSusan’s Ph.D. is in interdisciplinary studies (psychology, sociology, arts therapies, and health and health care) with a focus on integrating the arts in psychotherapy. Her research in this area provides firm foundations for her careers as 
, 
, and 
—as do her world travels. DocSusan is also a School of the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) graduate, which might explain, in part, her original style and approach to artmaking.
DocSusan was invited to represent Canada at the 2007 Florence Biennale, where she showed her specially prepared work, "Buon Appetito!". She also exhibited at two international art fairs in 2008: Toronto Art Expo in March, and the Artist Project, Chicago in April. In 2009, she will exhibit at a spring (April/May) solo show, hosted by Kamp Galleries, at their Drake Hotel location. (Kamp Galleries welcomed DocSusan to their stable in May 2008, and co-principal, Nicholas G. Vahlkamp, is now DocSusan's art dealer for Chicago and the Midwest.)
In May, 2008, DocSusan also launched 
. Due to popular demand, her cheerful images are now being carefully crafted onto a variety of products. Please look out for DocSusan Label Creations and DocSusan Custom Creations—coming soon!
DocSusan teams up with poodle pals, Lev and Sage, as often as possible, whether painting, writing, advising, or blogging.
©Susan R. Makin, 2008