Women United ART PODCAST

The Healing Power of Art with Susie McColgan

Mona Lerch Season 4 Episode 97

In this heartfelt episode of Women United ART PODCAST, host Mona Lerch welcomes celebrated artist Susie McColganfor a moving conversation about resilience, rediscovery, and the emotional power of painting. Susie shares how her lifelong relationship with art began in childhood, growing up in northern Michigan where nature, color, and light first stirred her creative soul. After earning a BFA from the University of Michigan and building a successful career in commercial art and illustration, Susie eventually made the bold decision to return fully to her passion for painting.

Everything changed in 2019 when she experienced a near-death accident that left her with multiple injuries and a long period of recovery. It was during this time that art became more than a calling—it became her medicine. Painting again after trauma gave her a renewed sense of purpose, and her work has since evolved into a healing practice, both for herself and others. With a focus on light, color, and emotional storytelling, Susie’s paintings invite viewers into a safe, comforting space—what she describes as a “hug of comforting love.”

Throughout the episode, Susie reflects on the spiritual transformation that shaped her post-recovery art practice, the intention behind the energy she brings into her work, and her mission to offer joy, calm, and hope through visual storytelling. She also shares her experiences painting for clients like General Motors and hospitals across Michigan, and speaks about her portrait work for notable figures including Tom Brady, Lee Iacocca, and Dave Thomas. Her story is a beautiful reminder that creativity can be a powerful balm, especially when it comes from the heart.

Explore how art can heal, connect, and inspire in this unforgettable episode.


Susie McColgan

www.susiemccolgan.com

IG: @mccolgansusie



This show is brought to you by Women United ART MOVEMENT, a global platform highlighting women in the arts through a wide range of opportunities such as solo and group exhibits, annual art prize for women artists, and quarterly publication.

www.womenunitedartmovement.com
@womenunited_art_movement
@womenunited_art_magazine