Self-taught artist Susan Cua first discovered her love of drawing as a seven-year old when she was caught doodling instead of listening during class. Cua took art classes in high school, then also later as an adult at the Evanston Art Center and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Born in the Philippines, Cua has lived in the United States since the age of 18. Although she is an American citizen who calls Chicago her home, Cua is an avid worldwide traveler.

Cua’s favorite artistic period is Impressionistic. For a while, her style was similar to French impressionism. Spending time in Paris and visiting Giverny several times, Cua created a series of watercolors on Monet’s garden. Over the years, Cua’s painting style has changed… now more bold, expressionistic and dramatic, as she experiments mixing media combined with delicate strokes from her Asian heritage. An accomplished musician and teacher, Cua started piano lessons at the age of six. She is a graduate of the American Conservatory of Music and De Paul University, where she studied piano performance and music therapy.

Cua has experienced many different walks of life: she has been an entrepreneur, a gift shop owner and manager, and has even served as an instructor at the Harold Washington College. However, throughout the years, she has continued to paint with a variety of mediums: oils, watercolors, pastels, and mixed media.

Cua’s work can be found in private collections and corporations in the USA, Europe and Asia. High Impact Interior Design Incorporated from the Philippines carry her art work. In Chicago, she has exhibited at the Merchandise Mart, Drake Hotel and the Federal Reserve Bank. In the North Shore area, she has exhibited at Cafe Ambrosia, Cafe Aroma, Lakeside Interiors, Link’s Sweet Bean, and Unicorn Cafe. Cua has also exhibited at Boocoo Cultural Center, Evanston Art Center, Simply Chicago Art Gallery in Evanston and Gallery G in Glencoe.