Bishop's Stortford Art Society member profile: Susan Couzens

As part of a series highlighting the creative talents of members of Bishop's Stortford Art Society, Susan Couzens shares some of her favourite pieces of work...

I have lived in Bishop's Stortford for most of my life and have been drawing and painting ever since I can remember.

I qualified as a radiographer and worked for the NHS. Whilst my three children were young, I worked as a teaching assistant at a local secondary school for several years and then at a local primary.

A few years ago I studied for a fine art degree at the University of Hertfordshire. Currently I undertake commissions and use a variety of media including ink with watercolour, oil, acrylic and pastel, preferring a realistic, figurative style. I also attend a local pottery class.

I have exhibited and sold paintings at local galleries and art shows and have exhibited as a prize winner at the Mall Galleries, London. I held an Open Studio at home in 2017 and enjoy visiting galleries and exhibitions.

I feel lucky to paint as much as I do because I have suffered with serious eye problems since my teenage years. At 15 I had my sight saved by Moorfields eye hospital following retinal detachments. I was left partially sighted in one eye. I have since had operations on both eyes, including removal of cataracts and another retinal detachment, and also have glaucoma. I am very grateful for the eye care that I still receive.