A Peaceful Place by Susan Barocas

In 2010, Susan retired from teaching math at Northampton High School in Massachusetts. Since I retired I have been learning about the art of the impressionists and studying at the Cape School of Art in Provincetown on Cape Cod.

Taking workshops and developing relationships with artists who were influenced by Henry Hensche inspire me. These mentors all follow the same philosophy of color, so whether painting a still life or landscape, the painting technique is nearly the same. I live in Northampton, MA, with my husband Jack.m and my Great Pyrenees, Xena.   My children and their spouses are nearby and I see my wonderful grandchildren often.

Every time I layout my paints, set up my board and pick up my palette knife, I step into another world. The fields and forests of Western Ma and the sun-drenched beaches and coastal scenes in Provincetown call me to paint.

I recently held a small auction of my work to support a young art teacher in Rwanda, he is giving hope and light to orphans and street children. He himself lost his father to the Rwandan Genocide and pays the care he received from the orphanage forward to unfortunate children. I am currently encouraging him form an NGO so that he can procure more funds for his work. I love that I have been able to help him and have discussions about the Cape School.