Big Black Dog Studio

I’m Suzy Ryan, the Chief Encouragement Officer and Chief Feeding Officer here at Big Black Dog Studio.

With spiritual gifting first and foremost as an encourager, I have a fundamental background in what I lovingly refer to as Professional Cat Herding.

I have been a change agent, a creative programming director, spiritual life coach, and grief counselor working with children through the elderly. I am sensitive to the wallflowers around the perimeter and find out what makes their eyes light up to talk about in order to find ways of encouraging their involvement.

By paying attention to things that most do not, I intentionally build a positive and inclusive organizational culture through understanding motivational psychology and the vital role that relationship-based leadership plays in highly effective human asset management.

After 40 years in ministry and community nonprofits working with mostly volunteer workforces, I have learned more about human nature, emotion and healing than can ever be taught in an academic program.

Certain fundamentals define me as a person:

• I was raised to fix things, not throw them away.
• I look for the value in that which was discarded by someone else.
• I take the time to polish away the tarnish and uncover hidden beauty most people can’t be bothered to work that hard to find.
• I’m not just referring to the inanimate materials I use in my artwork.
• I also strive to not judge animals or people on their appearance or on behaviors learned from the way life has treated them.
• Although not always reciprocated, if I weren’t willing to look past the superficial, I would risk missing what only time and effort could reveal to be treasured relationships built on trust, acceptance and sincere friendship

My gifting is first and foremost as an encourager and empowerer of others.

I try to put that into every article I write and into each custom painting and “pet pawtrait” I create.

I also hope it comes through in everything that I do.

Subscribe to Catnip & Puppy Love

With a mix of motivational psychology & humor, Catnip & Puppy Love is my 2X monthly newsletter on bringing out the best in yourself & the team you’ve got – your family or a work team.

I share tips on successful people leading based upon my 40 years of managing both paid & volunteer workforces to keep you sane & increase your leadership effectiveness.

What began a few years ago as my art studio newsletter, all subscribers get free monthly printable pages because the inner child in all of us still needs creative moments to focus the way coloring allows.