“I have been taking classes from Susan for about two years and have found that she is the perfect match for me as I am learning so much from each project and find that she gives 100% each class with one-on-one instruction. As a teacher myself, I am inspired by her dedication to her students and the way she orchestrates her classes for optimal learning. Susan is very generous with her knowledge of painting and expects her students to follow through. I like this approach as her expectations are high while at the same time instilling confidence in each student’s efforts. "
-Laura Ross/Studio Clay
Magic. Susan offers a place, an anchorage, an energy exchange for persistent quests for creation. Expectantly we bring rectangles and squares of white nothingness. In hours after consults squeezing lines of color on clean glass, mixing the lines to become something other than what is was.
Sunsets, barns, children on a beach, brothers appear because she said white with orange or add cold color. This communion of creativity converts flatness into dimension and recognizability.
The magical exchange from teacher to student becomes visible. She sees what we sometimes do not but she continues undaunted and in the end we have the magic too. Thank you Susan. May you continue your own pursuit of magic....
-Debbie W
“I started painting with Studio Anchorage nearly two years ago and am now working on my 21st piece. I like the personal guidance Susan provides, the relaxed atmosphere and the flexibility afforded to students with various scheduling needs. The learning is continuous and I look forward to class every week. “
-Greg C
I was in Paris a few years ago and was so inspired by the impressionist paintings that I called Susan and said “ I want to learn this” Well little did I know it is more than painting just an “ impression “ of something . So off I went and I must say that Susan is the real deal. She has methods that work for any style and we keep it fresh by doing different units. I have taken other places and we simply painted by numbers .... not here. This month we are doing opposites ... which you put the opposite color on first and then layer the opposite color. She is flexible enough to let some people do their own method and now we are keeping track of Susan’s pearls of wisdom . Every time she says something like “ the sky is lighter at the bottom and darker as you go up” we write it up in our book of wisdom. She laughs but I say “ Susan, I must have rules“.....When I started I could not believe she wanted me to put purple on my white bulldog. Now it is my favorite painting .I am a physician who thinks by sets of rules and algorithms. This has allowed me to work a part of my brain that was asleep I guess . We have fun on Tues afternoons and I look forward to being with my classmates and love Susan as a teacher and as a person. I am in awe by the talent from some of her students and we had our first little art show last month which was fun. Family , friends and fried chicken! Hard to beat. I guess in summary I would say I feel like I am taking from a real master in art . Some can paint but not teach ....Susan is good at both . I will never quit and just hope to get better and better.
-Dr Jennifer Barefoot
Sweet lady, you are a talented artist and someone I call a friend. You have challenged me in such a great way; I tell everyone how you truly teach those who aren’t artist to paint to their fullest potential and end up with an art piece one can feel pretty great about. I’m proud to be your student.
Warmly,
-Michelle E.
I am honored and privileged to share my experience of having Susan Tolliver as my painting teacher.
Prior to 2018, I had never painted. I joined Susan’s class, alongside some other friends, thinking it would be fun! It has turned out to be one of my weekly commitments I truly look forward to. Susan has a keen sense of understanding each student‘s artistic ability (strengths and challenges) and is able to effectively instruct a number of students in a group setting.
Susan has a tremendous ability in translating to her students the concepts of opposite colors, shading, warm/cool, lost edges and determining the focal point, to name a few. She encourages her students to continuously explore and assess colors within his/her own environment.
I find myself thinking about values of colors and subtle hues when I look at the sky or a rolling field. Having the ability now to interpret how colors on a fence line dramatically change at dawn, afternoon and dusk, for example, are lessons I have learned with Susan. Her style includes stepping away from the canvas from time to time, going outside and observing from which direction the light is cast on an object. Susan’s teaching methods involve a multimodality approach, which always keeps it fun and interesting!
I highly recommend Susan to anyone with a desire to create and paint. Her own paintings speak for themselves. Her ability to capture the essence of her subject matter is nothing short of magnificent!
Leslie Robinson
Studio Anchorage with Susan Tolliver is an amazing learning and sharing experience. Susan is such a giving person and imparts her vast knowledge freely & honestly. Everyone learns to paint any subject. Susan has us learning different things each semester so there is always a challenge. I’ve been taking lessons for 4 years and couldn’t imagine stopping. It’s a warm & inviting atmosphere where friendships are formed & and everyone feels welcome.
-Cathie Kolk
Susan Tolliver is an experienced oil painter and educator with a teaching style that is professional and productive. She guides each of us in learning important principles and techniques while introducing new concepts around a variety of painting styles. You will be challenged. The studio is full of light, a calm ambience and is surrounded by natural beauty. I highly recommend Susan’s classes.
-Anonymous (L)
Susan, I understand that I learned a lot from you. You taught me many ideas I had never been exposed to before and I appreciate your taking the time to help me develop value, temperature, composition, thumb nails and strategies that will be helpful for my further paintings. It was not comfortable or easy but you stretched me and taught me new ideas. I will always appreciate your insight and passion. The value studies are worth the struggle I found most difficult but will serve me well. Thank you.
-M.K.
Susan is hands down the most knowledgeable instructor I have had. I have learned more under her teaching than all my previous painting classes combined. Her approach to painting has given me a solid foundation to grow as an artist!
-Rob C.
With Susan, every series of lessons has a particular focus, which adds to our knowledge and skills. It has been so much fun, and amazing, seeing how we have all improved while developing our own style!
-Barbara H.
I have had the privilege of painting in Susan’s studio for several years now. Not only have I found Susan’s creative approach to painting fun and innovative, but I love how she exposes us to the painting techniques of other famous artists as well, taking us outside the box to view new ways of expressing ourselves on canvas. We are constantly learning and growing, and it never gets old! It’s been a wonderful experience for me!
-Janie W.
Painting with Susan has been such a gift to myself. I look forward to each class. I have learned so much about oil painting since I first began several years ago.
-Heidi H.
I recently retired from teaching art to children and was eager to develop my oil painting skills. Susan has helped me with developing color relationships and compositional focus techniques. She has a desire to expose her students to a diverse array of artistic approaches but allows students to go in their own direction while implementing basic art theory. I really look forward to my three hours of painting alongside individuals who have a passion to learn and enjoy the process. I look forward to the next session!
-Janie L.
Not having had any painting experience it was quite intimidating with a teacher of your caliber. But you instantly made me feel at ease tackling the token fruit still life painting as our initiation painting. I have enjoyed these six years as your student and appreciate all your knowledge and expertise in bringing out whatever painterliness (?) I had in me. I know we will all miss you and our paintings will suffer for it but I hope you and Robin enjoy your new life on the coast. Much love, Julie
-JB
Susan I will never forget the first day walking into painting class in 2015. I was nervous to be painting with such talented colleagues! You made me feel right at home helping me when I had questions. That first painting hangs in my entry hall to this day reminding me that scary and nerve wracking endeavors can be some of the most rewarding. Knowing that Studio Anchorage season has come to a close I wish I could rewind time. Id ask more questions, watch my colleagues more, extract as much knowledge and technique as I could. Monday afternoons in the studio became my happy place, my relief from a stressful world. I wish uyou the best as you and Robin set out on your new adventure. I treasure the memories and lessons learned and hope our paths continue to cross.
-Lauren T.
Susan, I so enjoyed the art class... It really was a great learning experience and you are an absolute font of information. The studio is amazingly inspirational with beautiful scenery from every window, natural light, and soothing music. Your talent combined with your studio is bound to produce great artists. Good luck in your new endeavor and thanks.
-J. S.
I learned so much and have so many wonderful memories of afternoons shared at Studio Anchorage. It was a great experience and a welcome reprieve from daily life..I miss painting with you and all the talented folks who come to paint in your idyllic space. I certainly benefitted from your expertise and Ill always remember to add a little purple to the cool side and more! Mainly Ill remember your kindness creativity and friendship and miss seeing both you and Robin With fond memories and best wishes always,
-Elizabeth P.
Once the kids were all in college I wanted to find a creative outlet for myself so I started oil painting for the first time in my life. I took classes for a couple of years but didn’t seem to be progressing or learning as much as I had hoped. I was about to give up… I am so thankful that a friend, who is also a student of Susan’s, introduced me to her studio. I couldn’t be more thrilled with what I have experienced. Every class begins with a lesson and although I am only on my fourth painting with her, I have learned more in my short time with Susan than in the previous years elsewhere. She has a keen eye for detail, shadow, color composition and challenges me to experiment outside of my comfort zone. I typically have a million questions and she handles them by gently guiding me to discover things for myself while offering creative, constructive criticism. Her beautiful studio is not only an inspirational setting but also eco-friendly. I find myself looking forward to every class and am never ready to stop painting when our time is up. I feel so blessed to be able to learn and grow my skills under such a truly gifted and talented teacher.
-Holly S.
Going to Studio Anchorage is a highlight of my week! It gives me 3 hours of thinking only of creating a piece of art. Susan actually starts each class with lessons and reviews all of the students’ works. She guides me and gives wonderful advice but insists that the painting is mine to create. Most of my paintings are gifts for family and friends. I would have never thought that I would be able to create a painting that I thought was good enough to share! Thank you Susan!!
-Cat Wessel
During the first wave of quarantine I felt demotivated with little to look forward to in the many weeks of being locked in my house with office work and the stress that came with it. I decided to take up art lessons as I thought this was the perfect opportunity to do something I liked- as well as being social while being around people again. When I first walked into Susan's studio I was struck with awe at her beautiful paintings and portraits that looked impossibly real and her beautiful studio. Susan welcomed me immediately and in our first conversation I felt I had known her for years! Her joyful personality was contagious and created a pleasant atmosphere I looked forward to attending.In the short time I was her student Susan taught me so much about the fundamentals of painting much more than I ever thought I could learn. With her help I discovered my own style of painting and techniques and found myself improving with each painting.I loved how she taught us the most important variable to the success of a painting is a color's value. Her emphasis was always on value and form. I never thought I would be able to paint portraits but the way she taught me gave me the confidence I could do it. And eventually I did paint my wife's portrait. I've come to love art and with her inspiration, I am going to be painting as long as I can. I feel so blessed to be able to learn and grow skills under such a truly gifted and talented teacher.
-S.K
