My Story

Every artist has a story. We all have a muse, an aspect of our lives that motivates our creativity. And I'm no different. My story however, is not one that most would speak about. But, I will because not only do I feel a need to allow my customers to connect with me, to know what makes me tick. But, also to talk about something that is tabu to most in hopes that others will talk about things they have kept in for fear of how they would judged by society.

At the age of 14, my daughter, Krystal started using drugs and alcohol. At 16 she stole her first car and was arrested. For the past 10 years I have endured the pain of her being homeless and have visited her in ICU too many times to bear. I would even visit her in the streets just so that I knew that my daughter was alive. I have done it all with her, rehabs, therapy, countless suicide attempts and of course unconditional love...but who knows what makes people do what they do.

I choose to paint happiness and positive images instead of the despair that I saw and felt. What's the point in that? I'd rather paint the positive side of it, the possibility of another life, the love and unity that comes from going through a situation like this. This has brought my family together and it has made us look at the family like never before. We saw that it was a problem that was always there and it made us take ownership of it to do something about it. Then it brought us all together and the healing began. There is more love and happiness in our family than ever before. I can't say the same for Krystal, she still struggles but because the family is so strong now, we can really make a difference.

I hope to send a message of hope and love. A message that will touch someone who feels that their situation has beaten them. I also thank God for my daughter Krystal. She is THE most beautiful woman I know. On the outside, you may see scars and despair, but on the inside...there is so much beauty. She is one of the strongest and giving women I know. God will use her experiences to help those with the deepest pain that only someone like her can see.

My goal is to help, through the sales of my art, organizations like Teen Challenge a non-profit rehab that desperately needs monetary help.

When Krystal arrived at Teen Challenge over a year ago, I had just flown to California, checked her out of ICU and flew her to Rhode Island to Teen Challenge. Krystal remained clean for over a year in Teen Challenge and learned to take care of herself. They gave my daughter her life back and I would like to give back to them.

I paint today because God has spared my daughter's life. Today she is alive so I rejoice, I celebrate, I paint. Here is a poem that I recently wrote:

Sisters - Dedicated to my daughter, Krystal Plumey

These are my sisters and together, we are strong.
Sisters crying, dying, trying to put their lives back together again.
Don't throw me away but pick me up, don't give me up.
Sisters in distress, a mess, what's left...but the pain inside.
She is discarded, not regarded because of her problem.
Sisters broken and thrown away, not given the chance to find her way.
Don't throw me away but pick me up, don't give me up.
Look at my heart, look at my soul, you'll see my beauty, don't look through me.
She is your mother, wife, daughter, sister. I know deep inside how you miss her.
But, don't throw her away, pick her up, don't give her up!

- Susan Torres
Art by Susan Torres

The Door

This is my first door. The red-headed sisters. I like painting on large surfaces and one day I just had the urge to paint a door. It came out so fantastic, I could not have been more pleased.

The idea behind the concept painted on this door is:

1. We are all sisters, no matter what race, color or creed.
2. Each side represents opposite sides of the world they may be from.
3. One of these sisters is always holding the other one up, no matter how you turn it.