Susan Graves' earliest influence was her grandfather, Dr. James Ward, a retired physician in Sydney, Nebraska. He would send her letters illustrated with Native American Indians, buffalo, and cowboys. PopPop was always encouraging and kind regarding her drawings and paintings of pots and palm trees.

While attending the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she majored in art history, but continued drawing with Clarke Stewart. Since that time she has worked, most notably, with the late John Richardson, Wattana Watanapun, and Barb Doll.

 

Susan's attitude toward art and life are the same: we are all an ever-advancing organic whole, insulated and in need of being complemented by one another to become complete.

Susan currently lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband of twenty-five years, Ken, their son Gavin, Swimmy Cat and Fluffy Dog. Their daughter, Lacey, is a senior graphic design major at the University of Georgia.