Susi Franco

The first third of Susi's life was spent as a professional jazz vocalist & fashion model, touring the country; after the births of her first 3 children, they toured with her until the oldest became school age, then she limited performance regionally to New England. Realizing she'd be raising her children alone after a divorce, Susi enrolled in Nursing College and became an RN, working in that profession for over 20 yrs supporting 6 children, until a serious spinal injury forced her to disability-retire in 2001. In search of something to help her cope with loss and chronic pain, her sister mailed her a box of student grade art supplies, and a new career was born.

Since that time, Susi has gone on to win three international awards for her work; her work now hangs in four countries as well as a museum in Durango, Mexico. She was selected to contribute work to the popular TV show 'Extreme MakeOver:Home Edition' for their Warwick, RI project, and has been the subject of many New England regional newspaper & magazine articles as well as cable TV show appearances. Her work is featured annually on RI's PBS TV Art Auction; she won 'Most Inspirational Woman' award from her appearance on the cable TV show 'Tea With Marie' and contributes artwork to multiple charities yearly. She exhibits both locally and regionally and sells her one-of-a-kind Fine Jewelry in a Wickford, RI boutique.

Being adopted, Susi located her biological family several years ago and has since learned her heritage is rich and wide, includes extensive European ancestry. Her Fine Jewelry Line, SASLA, is named for a German paternal ancestor who came to America in 1771, Valentin Sasla Pfost. Her heritage is a significant influence for her work. Nearly three year's worth of exhaustive genealogical research has shown Susi is also directly descended from King Robert the Bruce I ( think 'Braveheart') of Scotland as well as his grandson/great-grandson who were also Scottish Kings; additionally she is directly descended from the Earls of Argyll and has direct lineage from the Royal House of Stewart through many ancestors. Susi is working on her second book*, inspired by her own recently discovered aristocratic ancestry and humble personal history.

Susi owns a 6 acre farm in rural Rhode Island, where she maintains her studio for Fine Art & Oil Painting/Fine Art Marketing-Promotion Lessons/Workshops, Creative Writing Workshops-Artist Retreats, Fine OOAK Jewelry and seasonally offers fresh artisanal food and cooking lessons. She is also the author of the book 'Angels With Stethoscopes' *, a non-fiction work about her Nursing career which has received highly favorable reviews and is available on Amazon.com as well as other online book retailers. Her writing is also featured in the books 'The Orange Willow Review', 'Tails of the Village Idiot' and 'Seek Truth', all available on Amazon.com or through Google searches.

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