Susan Schneider makes me want to become an artist. She makes art sound so much fun that I want to show up for her classes that start at the Bell Tower on Ballard Avenue before the Sunday Farmer's Market and begin “eavesdropping” by sketching.

If the lives of artists were as celebrated as movie stars the headlines would read: "Famed batik artist relocates to Ballard" or "London's loss is Ballard's gain."

In Susan's artistic career she has been a nationally recognized batik artist, co-founder of Carnegie Craft Gallery in Ontario, gallery owner, card company owner and administrator. But what Susan loves doing is combining her two greatest loves, teaching and creating art out of doors.

Plein air is French for outdoors, or out in the open. Plein air painters sound lofty, until Susan describes them as, "Somebody who does any kind of art outdoors."

Sketching or painting outside allows her to participate more fully, through comments overheard, needing to avoid passing cars and pedestrians, a gust of wind or curious passers-by. Even when she creates art while indoors Susan looks to what is happening outside of her window.

Since Susan moved back from London (she lived in Seattle earlier in her career) she has been teaching at the Lake Forest Branch of Shoreline Community College, volunteering at the Ballard Senior Center, sitting on the planning committee for Sunset Hill Community Association and working to create more teaching opportunities. And that’s just the first 10 months.

Susan loves the bustle of the farmer’s market while on other days of the week she loves the juxtaposition of industrial architecture and constant activity at sites like Salmon Bay and Gravel, another favorite place for her to sketch and watercolor.

She loves the challenge of trying to capture movement, rather than working from a photograph.

Starting on Sunday, Sept. 13 Susan will begin five weeks of classes for anyone interested in learning how to sketch outside, from those who have never done it before or people wanting to expand their range. No experience is necessary; the cost will be $10; the only materials needed are pens, pencils or watercolors, and a sketch book.

There's no sign-up beforehand, no commitment to multiple weeks. Every Sunday is a new lesson as Susan plans to send students off to draw what interests them and then will work her way from student to student, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

She would also like to see if students are interested in regrouping after 10:30 to share what they've created separately.

The start time is geared to include the hour when the vendors arrive and set their stands, past the magic hour of 10 a.m. when the sales can commence. Her own farmer's market sketchbook has the colors of the cut flowers, the fresh radishes, but also the wardrobe choices of shoppers and vendors, from their animal on a leash to the pink "Crocs" on their feet.

She also likes to include phrases that reach her ears as the she transforms the images with her fingers. "When in doubt, bring it out," one vendor orders his helpers.

Susan has been sketching outdoors for 30 years, but wants to do even more. In London she participated in night drawing as well. Here in Seattle she'd like to team with other plein air artists and have her own program.

In the meantime there are farmer's markets in almost every neighborhood on different days of the week. Susan would like to get to other markets; she loves how each one has its own feel.

But for now she's captivated by Sundays on Ballard Avenue, and weekdays along the Ship Canal where industry meets water and Susan meets plain air.

Peggy Sturdivant can be reached atlargeinballard@yahoo.com.