Susan Hartenhoff's primary source of inspiration is derived from the world of nature that surrounds her. Her love of the outdoors is evident in her color palette, a mix of warm neutrals with splashes of blues and greens. While she is constantly exploring new mediums, it is her affection for nature that is the driving force behind her work. The artist can often be found lying under a cotton tree on the grass listening to the wind. "I live my life trying to practice the serenity prayer; to accept what I have to, change what I need to and have enough brains to know the difference." Hartenhoff, a self-described Westerner, was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Her interest in art developed at an early age with influence from her father, a commercial artist. She spent her childhood pondering the vast landscape that surrounded her. She remembers learning about great artists as a young child. One of her most poignant memories is of a piece called 'The Horse Fair' by Rosa Bonnard, that hung in the school's hallway. Her love of art is matched only by her passion for horses. It is this subject that first brought attention to her paintings and drawings. "I have had a horse since 1972 and have had my present horse, Dakota Kid, since I was a baby. My family and I enjoy showing him and jumping fences at the horse shows." She began her formal art education at South Dakota in Brookings, where she obtained a Bachelors of Fine Art degree with an emphasis in printmaking. In her senior year she was honored with the Ritz-Caldwell-Young Art Sholoarship. Her thirst for knowledge led her to the University of South Dakota in Vermillion where she worked towards her Master of Fine Art degree. Her talent was quickly noticed and she was awarded an apprenticeship at Echo Press, a fine art lithography shop. Here she studied advanced lithographic techniques under the guidance of master printer David Keister. When asked about creative influences, Hartenhoff cites printmaker Jerry Kruse. "He taught me the beauty of line and the importance of composition. But the most important thing he taught me was to create what I know and what I believe." During this time she participated in several solo exhibitions where she won numerous awards. Her work can be found in both private and corporate collections, including South Dakota Memorial Art Center, Nobles County County Art Center in Worthington, Minnesota and Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
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