Comments about Susan Abbott's teaching from student evaluations:

“You really hit the mark with me in Santa Fe. I found myself on the window side of the airplane seats on the way to Chicago and spent the entire time studying the colors and patterns of the land below and the clouds around me. And that hasn't stopped since I landed. I think my husband has a new wife who stares off into space a lot.  You are an incredibly strong teacher.”

“You’re the best teacher I’ve had by far.  And that’s not to say I haven’t had some very good ones.  The week was so worthwhile.  I wanted to be challenged and was.  I wanted to learn more about color and composition and did.  Perhaps my most important takeaway is seeing how you “see”- simplifying shapes, eliminating detail and daring to use color in new ways.”

“You provided a clear delineation of a number of extremely important aspects in the creative process. It would be extremely difficult for anyone to NOT learn anything you are teaching.”

“You put so much into your planning and make the most of time and people. When I was teaching, we had a category of above and beyond. You have that in spades.”

“I feel that I was so fortunate to be in your class. Thank you for everything that you did. Know that I was inspired to create and loved your teaching style which I believe to be one of self discovery by the student.“

“Your Traveling with Your Sketchbook workshop turned out to be life-changing for my art practice. I take a sketchbook like the one I used in that workshop whenever I travel. Its a terrific way to remember and improves my drawing skills!”

“This is my second class with you, and I really enjoyed both. I learned so much in this four day class! It was full of great info, techniques, and it was fun.”  

“You’re a wonderful teacher, Susan, and I’ve gotten so much out of all the courses I’ve taken from you. The structure and implementation of your courses is so well thought out and effective.”

“I especially admired your skill in finding things to enjoy in every work without sounding patronizing or gratuitous. Not easy!”

“I thought you were great about filling in blanks for those of us new to a medium, doing so in a way that I hoped wasn’t boring to the more advanced students. And that you have repeat students speaks volumes!”

“The four day class was a great, lively mix of presentation, demonstration, hands on, discussion, Q&A and homework that both amplified the day’s lessons and encouraged us to push beyond them.”

“You offered an atmosphere of warmth and welcome, a safe haven that allowed me to paint with a freedom and joy that continues.”

“I just wanted to thank you again for the great time last week: for all the places you took us, for all that you made us see, or see more clearly, for the great slides, the informative demos, for getting us out of our comfort zones.”

“Thank you for creating five days of the Vermont workshop jammed with stunning scenes, insightful instruction, kind commentary, and lavish lunches. What a time it was!. Robert Louis Stevenson said, ‘Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.’ I guess you’ve sown a garden of artists at least the size of Kew by now.”

"Susan is a really good, totally prepared, very knowledgeable teacher. It’s clear she has a massive amount of information that she can still talk about so I would bet that each time people go, they learn something new. What a stroke of luck that I got to come to this workshop."

"Loved it!  The whole program, especially going to different plein air sites around the area. Especially important, learning about color theory. Because of the planned exercises and excursions, we came home with a lot of paintings!  Which showed how we progressed through the week…Very satisfying!"

"You are a wonderful teacher. I had a marvelous takeaway. Whatever you talked about was new to me, and I look at things in a different light now. I would do it again in a heartbeat."

“I want to compliment you on the workshop. It was wonderful and substantive. I tire of self professed art gurus gathering little old ladies together to spend half a day demonstrating their work and the other half making us feel bad that we don't paint like they do. Meanwhile, I am armed with new color courage and some actual art education.

“I appreciate all the information you shared with us. It gave me lots of information to process and I thought your way of presenting was so helpful- showing slides and then giving a chance to try it out. I haven't had art classes or theory, have always picked colors intuitively, so found it really helpful to stop and analyze, break it down.”

"Susan, you are a first-rate teacher and such an inspiration!  Thanks to your dedication, determination and focus, you got us to do and learn more in a short period of time than I would have believed possible.  From your classes on color theory with clear diagrams to your own awe-inspiring painting demonstrations, to your lovely and evocative slide lectures to your very helpful critiques -- I am immensely grateful for them all."

"Thank you for an amazing experience, that I will always hold in my heart! Susan- your amazing talent, wonderful teaching techniques and love of Art have inspired me-I've set up a tiny studio and have been painting daily! I learned so much and will never look at our world the same in relation to color, composition, and values."

“Thank you for a great workshop! Not only are you a terrific teacher, giving excellent criticism, while being encouraging, but you also organized full days and varied experiences and landscapes.”

“I also enjoyed being in a group of talented, experienced artists, who brought so much to the lessons. I found it truly inspiring to see how people would experiment and grow over the course of a week.”

"We need a recovery program to follow your retreat — something to desensitize a person to color and light and motif and the joy of being in the company of such creative people, lest the real world become overwhelming when we are set free. And yet a big part of what I took with me, though, from this past week —and what I hope will linger — is being able to see immense beauty in that real world around us."

"I want to tell you that I found this workshop tremendously stimulating. I loved all the work with color. Your lessons were clear (even if I couldn't put them into practice immediately), and I came away with a better understanding of what I'm trying to do. You were right where I think I am, and I think I can (I hope I can) take a full step forward. Thanks so much!!"

"Excellent instruction!!!  I was amazed at the wealth of information provided to create a painting...color theory and composition.  Also liked the exposure to classic and contemporary artists."

“Thank you for a great online class!!! I have been studying art for about 10 years and this was truly one of the best classes I have ever taken.”

"She is a highly successful instructor across a wide variety of subjects. She has high standards and an excellent background in art. Her level of success was proven not only by the quality of work produced by those under her instruction, but also be the written evaluations of her performance."

“Listening to what you had to say in the art business workshop, and sharing your experience, knowledge, and journey with us was like no other experience that I've witnessed thus far, so it was money well spent. If everyone could get this type of guidance, I believe their journey to their own success with art would be achievable.”

“I would definitely recommend this class, I know at times it could be difficult finding the words and ways with many individuals all ranging in different levels, but I think you did a great job.”

"Thank you so much for such a wonderful and productive week.  It was inspiring to be in that community of painters and have such a beautiful part of Vermont for subjects.  Thank you so much for the incredible wealth of information you imparted and your accepting and encouraging manner.  You are a gifted and natural teacher and the class exceeded all expectations."

“Thank you, as always, for your patience, superb teaching skills, supportive comments, and new perspectives. You are a fantastic teacher, and I'll be back.”

"You presented the class with the equivalent of the finest academic art education. You have a gift for building on the student's strengths, while helping to clarify weaknesses in a manner that encourages growth."

"Her approach is so logical and well thought through. Her method of communicating difficult concepts struck me as precise and always highly intelligible. The personal guidance she offered was consistently sensitive yet candid."

"She is an excellent, systematic, sensitive teacher. This was the only well-organized approach I've ever had to watercolor. She is am amazingly good artist, who knows what she is talking about."

"What a treat it was to study with you!  You are such a high-caliber teacher, really one of the best art teachers I ever had.  Thank you for guiding me so clearly, giving me stepping stones, leading me from tones and composition, to 2, then, 3 colors and, finally, the whole color wheel and palette."

"Susan did an excellent job. She was thorough, patient, inspiring, and had a good sense of humor."

"I enjoyed the workshop and learned more than i imagined I could. Susan is succinct, kind (but truthful, too) and patient as well as competent."

"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the workshop. After returning home and reflecting on the experience, I see value in so many aspects of your program. Your demos gave me perspective on an approach to problem solving and technique that has been really helpful."

"In addition, I appreciated your teaching style and work ethic. Some of the things you covered, like color theory, were a great refresher for me as part of the overall program. I really liked your slide shows and the exercises, like using photos of paintings to recreate the palette for a different composition."

"I had the most wonderful time with all of you. Expert, gentle teaching (thank you, Susan! And take a good long nap--), delightful company, terrific food, and intense learning. I truly hope we can reconvene next year."

"I started this workshop with no knowledge of watercolor or painting and left with the enthusiasm to continue and the ability to appreciate."

"Thank you so much for being so generous with all your workshop information. What I like the most is the contrasting artists from the past to artists of today, drawing out what informs your work. I love that you give everyone in the class attention everyday. I love the reminders to think positively and not submit to obsessive negativism. You are a wonderful, wonderful teacher."

"The week was a highlight of the year for me, and it was indeed a specially great group. Your teaching is full, rich, interesting, addicting!!!"

"I wanted to thank you for your workshop.  It was hard work. You forced me to work on things, I do not do on my own. The color part was great. Thanks so very much for the three days.  I learned so much more than I realized in the midst of it."

"She had a genuine concern for everyone in class, even those who were extremely withdrawn. It was a joy to see her work along with us, because this was also an excellent mode of instruction. Susan Abbott was one of the best teachers I have had in my fifteen years of taking classes."

"A very good teacher who knows all about her subject, and can answer the class's questions. Her workshops are enjoyable and fun!"

"Susan Abbott is a phenomenal teacher. I told her early on in the workshop that studying with her was like drinking from a Firehose of Art. However,  the more I thought about it though, the more I realized that what actually happens is that just before the torrent of information being transmitted knocks you over, it is transformed into an incredible overhead shower that rains down an enveloping stream of art experience, history, theory and knowledge, with basic practical usable painting concepts.”

“It was an awesome experience that we will long remember...The very first day, she said "don't worry about the Product - what counts is the Process.' That concept was transformative for me. One of our fellow attendees who is an incredibly gifted and experienced artist and teacher herself, said that ‘Susan opens doors.’"

" I enjoyed the class so much and have been using watercolors and sketching ever since! I have discovered a new creative outlet and it has really changed the way I view my life's path...just wanted to say thank you for igniting the fire!"

"Excellent, well-prepared, generous, well-organized, and permanently useful information. Thank you again!"

"I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful "Traveling with Your Sketchbook" class. In a short amount of time, I learned so much from you and wish I would've taken this class sooner so that I could have used the knowledge and skills during my travels.  I am confident that this will be the first of many classes that I'll take from you and look forward to your next workshop."

"Total immersion in art -- your location (where one can comfortably escape wifi and phone service) your studio, painting sites, thoughtful planning and scheduling and highly effective use of time all combine to make for a fabulous learning environment."

"Susan was knowledgeable, well-prepared, and excellent at giving critiques. I really enjoyed this workshop. It has given me lots of ideas to work with!"

"You are supportive and encouraging while providing critical advice and clear information. Your comments are loaded with useful information.  Your color and theory classes are taught at such a high level yet are completely comprehensible.  You always seem to understand what each of us is trying to achieve with our paintings even if we may miss the mark, and try to show us how to get there.  And you allow each of us to develop our own style."

"The workshop in Provence exceeded my wildest dreams.  Thank you."

"For me, being in one of your classes is like getting back in the groove..thinking about shape and color and value and seeing those things in the living landscapes around us.  For those who don’t paint, a workshop might seem like a lark but it takes effort and energy.  The thoughtfulness that you put into the curriculum, from the slides to the handouts, really gives us food for thought."

"Your teaching inspired us all to really look at our surroundings with new vision."

"There was an excellent balance between the in-studio instruction and applying what you were trying to teach us.   For me personally I think I got a tremendous amount from the instruction time in the studio."

"Thank you for a wonderful two weeks.  It was so much fun.  As I told you before, you are best teacher I've had (and I've had many!) You really make me think about my work and where to go."

"I can’t thank you enough. This was no ordinary workshop, but a gift. I loved the combination of being grounded in your studio, but also the daily excursions to new locations. You have an extraordinary gift for teaching- it’s not all people who can be master painters as well as lead groups of people. I admire your integrity, values, serious commitment to painting- it’s inspiring!

"I took your travel journaling class in 2013. I enjoyed the class so much and have been using watercolors and sketching ever since! I have discovered a new creative outlet and it has really changed the way I view my life's path. I just wanted to say thank you for igniting the fire!"

"I'm still feeling the exhilaration of the painting week......shapes jumping out at me right and left....... lights and darks everywhere. It was great fun with a wonderful group and excellent teaching."

"Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed and learned from your Plein Air class in August.  So many things ‘clicked’ for me ...I am working on brighter paintings that have much more life in them.  You are a wonderful instructor! Thank you!"

"That was such a wonderful workshop. I will always treasure the places we visited and the feeling of being in such a friendly, supportive, and interested group. I really can't thank you enough for the experience. I loved learning all the time."

"You are an inspiring teacher and seem to know how to bring out surprising creations from your varied students.  I so enjoyed the class. Challenging fun. Thank you again!"

“You gave a wonderful art business seminar that exceeded my expectations. I especially appreciated that you shared a few of your personal experiences in addition to giving us real life examples. You dove deeper than I expected into the subject matter.”

“In a word, I felt the art business workshop was fantastic!  It was exactly what I needed at this stage of my early career as an artist.  In fact, I feel that I now have the tools to effectively map out the next steps that I need to take.”