My interest in art began at a very early age. My father was an artist born in Russia and as a child I would watch him paint from live models in his studio at our home in Los Angeles. My interest and talent were evident to him and he had me join him in plein air painting mostly at the parks when I was only 12 years old. My focus was on human characteristics. At around 13 to 15 years old I was allowed to attend adult live model drawing workshops with my father’s permission. As a young adult I continued my painting and had numerous shows, awards, and commissions. In later years I did three-dimensional sculptures in clay. Learning the entire process of turning clay into bronze using the lost wax method was exciting to me and I took workshops with master sculptors and professor David and Linda Elder. Other formal training and art workshops include Cal State University of Northridge and a fine arts degree from Ventura College. Doing art is a necessity for me. It is a way of writing down what I am experiencing and what I want to say. It is who I am.
Kaufman has been published in national and local magazines such as "Angelino" for her artwork. Susan’s work is represented in galleries and in private collections nationwide. She is an award-winning artist with numerous first place and judges awards in county and national competitions.
Kaufman was chosen to be the artist to do a commissioned sculpture of a retired former catcher for the Chicago Cubs and this was presented to him at Wrigley Field. She has done commissioned work in sculpture, oil painting and mural painting.
Aside from sculpting, and loving to spend time with her family, Susan teaches painting and sculpting workshops to adults and children.