Susan Bourdet, who grew up in a nature-loving family, developed her artistic talents early by identifying and drawing wildlife and plants. Her distinctive watercolor style combines realistic wildlife with impressionistic backgrounds—a technique she discovered at age 12 and refined through her dual studies in art and biology. Living on woodland property in western Oregon that she has enhanced for wildlife, Bourdet draws inspiration from her garden and travels to wild places, creating paintings that are both scientifically accurate and emotionally expressive. Her work has been widely published by Wild Wings, featured in the Lang Songbirds calendar for thirty years, and showcased in her instructional books "Painting the Allure of Nature" and "Capturing the Magic of Light." Her paintings are valued for their intimate portrayals of birds and animals that reflect both precise detail and deep appreciation for the natural world.