Susan Bourdet grew up in western Montana, learning early to love nature. Her luminous watercolors combine realistically detailed birds and animals with soft, impressionistic backgrounds, a technique that has evolved through her years of painting. She discovered watercolor at age twelve, being captivated by a local artist’s demonstration. She majored in art and biology, her two great loves, while at Montana State University.

Since 1989, Susan’s watercolors have been published in limited edition print form by Wild Wings.  Her work is featured in several annual calendars published by Lang and sold internationally.  She is the author of Painting the Allure of Nature, and Capturing the Magic of Light, both published by Northlight Books.  Her work is also featured in two instructional videos entitled “Bold and Beautiful, Backyard Wildlife in Watercolor” and “Inspiration from the Garden” produced by Creative Catalyst.  Her paintings have been featured in shows and exhibitions all over the country, including the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum’s Birds in Art and the Society of Animal Artists’ Art and the Animal.

Susan and her family live in Oregon on several acres of wild woodland, which provides settings and subjects for much of her artwork.  She is an avid birder and gardener, and she combines these interests with her art by planting her yard with favorite flowers and creating a pond and waterfall to attract wildlife.  She enjoys sharing her unique methods and insights with other artists and nature lovers in watercolor workshops and seminars.