Whimsical Wildlife Documentarian 

I live on a path well-traveled by whimsical creatures who visit Saint Paul. They visit my studio, sit for portraits, tell stories, and eat snacks. They clamor for more exposure, and they appear in four books: Meet the LLLamas (their spelling), The Backyard Roosters of Saint Paul, The New World of Cats: Max-the-Cat & his friends, and The Small Friends’ Chronicles.

Abstract Painter & Neighborhood Maker

My first art memory is as an obsessed finger painter who wanted to paint all over everything all of the time. My Mother gave me crayons. A life-long doodler, I finally found an outlet in what I later learned was called “abstract” painting. Even later, I realized that my abstracts stand for “The Grand Metaphor: every piece looks better because of the pieces that surround it.” Each of my abstracts has a complicated back-story, which I am happy to share. My Superpower is that when asked to tell several of them, I will put you to sleep.

Exhibits and Shows

Up next

2018 Saint Paul Art Crawl at The Rossmor, 500 North Robert Street. (2nd floor)
October 12-13-14, 2018.
Friday 6–10 PM, Saturday 12–8 PM, Sunday 12–5 PM
Download the free Metro Transit Passes for Saturday and Sunday
Metered Street Parking and Ramp Parking next to Alary’s
Food in the building: Sawatdee, Keys, and more!!

Click Exhibits and Shows points you to find shows (in person and online), sales and special events. My work is always at The Art Shoppe at Midtown Global Market, at my ETSY shop, and at my zazzle store.  Don’t forget the books: Meet the LLLamas. The Backyard Roosters of Saint Paul.  The New World of Cats: Max-the-Cat & His Friends.  The Small Friends’ Chronicles.  See something you like? Want to customize it?  Inquire at susangainen@comcast.net.

What else?

Oh my. I have thousands of images which I am currently (October 2018) organizing and making accessible by way of a creature alphabet and an abstract matrix.