Owner: Susan Jackson lived in CA for 12 years where she worked as an exhibit designer, a theatrical scenic designer, and a Walt Disney Imagineer. Always knowing in her heart that she wanted to teach children; in 1990 Susan found her way to the front of the classroom at the Monart School for the Arts, Santa Monica, CA. Upon returning to CT, Susan has been arranging and teaching drawing/art classes throughout Fairfield County. In 1994 Susan opened the Paint, Draw & More! Studio, and along with teaching children and adult classes, has been teaching training workshops for teachers to use drawing in the classrooms of public schools.

Paula DiGati Anderson recently received her CT State Certification for Art Teacher from Connecticut’s ARC program and a BA in Art with a concentration in graphic design from Roger Williams University in 1981 Paula had spent many years as a fine artist, technical illustrator, calligrapher and picture framer before turning to a career in teaching. Along with the professional art experience she brings to the classroom, Anderson also draws on her background in theater, music and creative writing for inspiration. She feels very fortunate to be part of the DiGati family, which has produced artists for more than 500 years.

Jo-Ann T. Claybourne, a CT native, attended the School of Visual Arts in NY, NY where she expanded her experience in sketching, drawing, painting and mixed media. Jo-Ann is gifted with the vision to create exciting pieces of artwork using different media. She enjoys exploring her creativity to it's fullest, each time Jo-Ann creates a new piece she is driven to enhance her technique; using feathers, fabric, wood, dried flowers... The combination of vibrant colors and mixed media gives each piece of artwork a life of it's own. Her commitment to explore her heritage has won her not only regional acclaim but also the attention of national collectors.

Betsy DeMarco writes, "I don't remember a time in my life I have not loved to draw and paint. When I was in the 5th grade I won a contest for drawing a cartoon character, Road Runner. Then at age fourteen I painted my bedroom full of flowers, cattails, and pussy willows. Having gone to school to learn sign language I was brought back to art while painting a mural in my first sons room. 22 years later, I have not stopped painting. I have been blessed with a wonderful life of painting murals, custom canvas's, along with many other types of decorative painting. I began as a self-taught artist but have since studied at Paier Art Institute, Creative Art Studio and Art Place."

Barbara Haeger has a degree in illustration and painting from Sacred Heart University and has been a freelance artist, portrait painter and muralist for 20 years. She has done work for companies such as Con Air, Zotos, Source, and has provided illustrations for the medical book “The Muscular System Manual”. Barbara has been teaching art at area schools and art centers for many years and enjoys sharing her knowledge and love of art with children of all ages. She is a life long area resident who currently lives in Monroe with her family.

Marika Ford (Ms. M) is a professional artist and instructor with experience teaching children, seniors and special needs groups. She majored in Children’s Literature and Illustration at New England College and has continued her studies of graphic design at Fairfield University and Silvermine School of Art. A member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators she is currently working on a series of picture books for young children. Ms. M loves painting, creative writing, puns and word games. She also enjoys spending time with her animals and gardening.