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Childhood
I was born in Hyde Park, in Chicago Illinois, where I
spent magical childhood days at the Museum of
Science and Industry. My grandmother, Dorothy H.
Wolf Beyer helped run the museum for over three
decades and she introduced me to my first fantasy
house at the museum. Colleen Moore’s "Fairy
Castle" was a favorite whimsical abode. I remember
well the excitement of walking to the museum with
Grandmother from her Hyde Park brownstone co-op
apartment on Blackstone Ave. On early Saturday
mornings I was in awe when she gave me the
chance to turn on the lights to the “Fairy Castle”
and see it glisten. Thus began my interest in fantasy
houses, which led me to the imaginary house in my
novel, a house that starts in fantasy and becomes a
tangible gift.
College Days at ISU
Jump ahead to college days when I earned my B.A.
from The University of Illinois at Springfield, or UIS.
I had a terrific experience in an innovative program.
I designed my own degree and completed a double
major while studying many interests, such as oral
history, painting, women’s art and literature, and
counseling. One of my most memorable ISU
experiences was listening to a visiting professor
from Calcutta, India, lecture on: “What is Literature?”
Master’s at UIC
I earned a master's degree in art therapy at the
University of Illinois at Chicago. I was the first art
therapy intern in a program that I am glad still exists
at The University of Chicago Hospitals in Hyde Park
and I was touched by the children, teens, and
families I assisted. During this time I developed my
master’s thesis, which I titled “Exploring the Spiritual
through Art.”
Professional Work
I worked in social services with children and families
at two child guidance clinics. Then I ran my own
successful private practice, specializing in children’s
therapy and art therapy in Westlake Village, CA. I
am registered as an art therapist (ATR) and
licensed as a marriage and family therapist (MFT).
I was born in Hyde Park, in Chicago Illinois, where I
spent magical childhood days at the Museum of
Science and Industry. My grandmother, Dorothy H.
Wolf Beyer helped run the museum for over three
decades and she introduced me to my first fantasy
house at the museum. Colleen Moore’s "Fairy
Castle" was a favorite whimsical abode. I remember
well the excitement of walking to the museum with
Grandmother from her Hyde Park brownstone co-op
apartment on Blackstone Ave. On early Saturday
mornings I was in awe when she gave me the
chance to turn on the lights to the “Fairy Castle”
and see it glisten. Thus began my interest in fantasy
houses, which led me to the imaginary house in my
novel, a house that starts in fantasy and becomes a
tangible gift.
College Days at ISU
Jump ahead to college days when I earned my B.A.
from The University of Illinois at Springfield, or UIS.
I had a terrific experience in an innovative program.
I designed my own degree and completed a double
major while studying many interests, such as oral
history, painting, women’s art and literature, and
counseling. One of my most memorable ISU
experiences was listening to a visiting professor
from Calcutta, India, lecture on: “What is Literature?”
Master’s at UIC
I earned a master's degree in art therapy at the
University of Illinois at Chicago. I was the first art
therapy intern in a program that I am glad still exists
at The University of Chicago Hospitals in Hyde Park
and I was touched by the children, teens, and
families I assisted. During this time I developed my
master’s thesis, which I titled “Exploring the Spiritual
through Art.”
Professional Work
I worked in social services with children and families
at two child guidance clinics. Then I ran my own
successful private practice, specializing in children’s
therapy and art therapy in Westlake Village, CA. I
am registered as an art therapist (ATR) and
licensed as a marriage and family therapist (MFT).
A House for a Dollar
Moving back to Illinois with my husband and
daughter after a life-changing event, I chose to be
a full time mother and writer. All my adult life I have
written: journals, poetry, and what I call inner
dialogue writing. Ever since college I have had a
desire to write a book. Following this dream is
when I found a house for a dollar. What was a
dusty house in need of renovation became the
tear down we prevented. Then we moved the
house one and one half miles. The main idea for
The Stolen House of Light started then. I began
writing while I researched house moving and
learned about preservation. My writing was slowed
by having a hand in saving a few other homes.
Several of the houses over the years had been
moved on wheels more than once!
My Other Interests
I do have many interests, such as bargain
antiques, old photos of children, books and more
books, great radio, good movies, taking photos,
fair housing, international development, unique
home decorating-it’s my creative outlet, and last
but not least, forests. I love the woods!
I also have a special interest in the research of
empathy and its importance for a deeper
understanding between people and various
cultures. Since living in Bangladesh and meeting
people from many nations, and having students
from France stay with us, I whole-heartedly believe
in the importance of cross-cultural exchange, and
in the celebration of diversity!
Moving back to Illinois with my husband and
daughter after a life-changing event, I chose to be
a full time mother and writer. All my adult life I have
written: journals, poetry, and what I call inner
dialogue writing. Ever since college I have had a
desire to write a book. Following this dream is
when I found a house for a dollar. What was a
dusty house in need of renovation became the
tear down we prevented. Then we moved the
house one and one half miles. The main idea for
The Stolen House of Light started then. I began
writing while I researched house moving and
learned about preservation. My writing was slowed
by having a hand in saving a few other homes.
Several of the houses over the years had been
moved on wheels more than once!
My Other Interests
I do have many interests, such as bargain
antiques, old photos of children, books and more
books, great radio, good movies, taking photos,
fair housing, international development, unique
home decorating-it’s my creative outlet, and last
but not least, forests. I love the woods!
I also have a special interest in the research of
empathy and its importance for a deeper
understanding between people and various
cultures. Since living in Bangladesh and meeting
people from many nations, and having students
from France stay with us, I whole-heartedly believe
in the importance of cross-cultural exchange, and
in the celebration of diversity!
| Copyright 2009 |
| Susan Estall, right, and her good friend Shobana |