Susan Canoy, a local artist from Dumaguete, started painting in 1986.

This single mother of

two averred that instead of being intimidated by her life’s circumstances, she should translate
her fears and triumphs to art. Many ideas came into mind that led her to create crafts and
paintings, drawing inspiration from nature and even more from her family. Inspiration is
uplifting, she thought, and this should keep her going.

She flourished in her chosen vocation, joining art exhibits left and right, trying out new media.
Soon She was chosen as one of the finalists in the Philip Morris Art Awards 2005. The Silliman
University Medical Center commissioned her for a painting that will grace insignificant part of
the facility. She also continually teaches painting and art lessons every summer. Life was
becoming much better as she continued to provide for her family. In 2011 she opened the “Art
Works-Shop” and by 2013, she already had a stall at the Robinson’s Place Dumaguete. Now, you
can find her shop at The Market Place, Business Park.

Susan’s journey as an artist was marked by single-mindedness, a focus that no one can take
away from her. “It is through patience and hard work only one can succeed,” said
Susan as she shared one of the most important virtue everyone must have.

School – which is how we called and remember this beloved school then.

Susan, as she is fondly called, only started painting in 1984. But before that, her
talent for the visual arts was already evident in her elementary days. Little did
her teachers know that while class lectures were going on, Susan’s hand was
busy making caricatures on the back pages of her notebook using only the most
popular medium at that time – the orange colored Bic ball pens. These drawings
that continued through high school and college were very exceptional for a
young student like her.

Seemingly, her course in Civil Engineering as well as her studies in Architecture

did not fulfill her passion and love for the Arts. Her innate creativity and the
desire to master her craft inspired her to develop the talent God had given her.

And soon she was well on her way. A little later, she had her own boutique selling
her own paintings. Portraits of our local Mayors and Governors that you see in
session halls – most of these were made or rather hand painted by Susan. Among
many other personalities like, Bishop John F. Du, who was assigned in the
Diocese of Dumaguete at one time, have commissioned her to do their portrait.
Through changing times, Susan tried new media. She ventured into handicrafts
as souvenir items. What was special about her was the way she gave everything
she did her personal touch. Each one of her paintings or designs is truly a work
of art and defined her as an artist. In 2005, she was chosen as one of the finalists
in the Phillip Morris Art Awards.

Currently she is into what she calls Bote-things, where she contributes to saving
the environment by giving new life to old bottles thrown by the wayside
irresponsibly. These are hand-painted bottles which had their day in the sun
when they were chosen to be the trophies for a national frisbee competition. In
time, these bottles drew more attention and happy buyers during local trade
fairs such as Dumaguete’s very own “Sidlakang Negros”, a local producer’s shop
for Negros Oriental which attracts many tourists. She now makes a lot of these
bottles but each one is unique. That being so, collectors have been eyeing these
items and boosting the demand for them.

Apart from this, Susan still manages to teach painting and art lessons in her
summer classes each year. Her students are a good mix of young ones and the
young once.

Like most of us, Susan has had her share of life’s challenges but with God’s grace
and guidance, along with her creativity, focus and determination, she chose to
rise above this and is now the celebrated artist that she is. We are all very proud
of her and continue to support her in her every endeavor.

Susan Canoy is a Dumaguete artist who is known for her arts and crafts. As a single mother,
she relentlessly pursues her art to express herself and to provide for her family.
She has been exhibiting her artworks for more than two decades now. Her subjects are as
varied as the medium she has been using. As a mother, her themes focus on women about
their dreams, aspirations, family and frustrations. She also paints the lighter side of life like
florals, landscapes, marine life and other subjects.
Susan was chosen as one of the finalists in the prestigious Philip Morris Art Competition
nationwide among her other awards.
Her day is not complete without art. She paints on anything from canvasses, papers, bottles,
textiles and other indigenous materials like processed bamboo leaves. Her two children are the
apple of her eyes. They are her inspirations.
She owns a framing shop which helps the needs of local artists and those who need her
services.
Her innate love for nature and living beside the boulevard, propels her to create more subjects
which are not only a joy to have but they convey a feeling of peace,sadness and life’s
challenges.
She has been exhibiting her works locally, around the Philippines and her works were also
displayed in Spain.
Everyday is a constant inspiration for Susan Canoy.’
She is also a member of producers of crafts in Negros Oriental.