Susan Leyland was born in 1952 Whiston, Lancashire but lived near Cambridge for many years. At the age of four she was given her first pony by her Grandfather a veterinarian and horse breeder. At school Susan discovered her aptitude for art and her work was hung in The London Royal Academy of Arts children’s exhibitions. Her school years were spent at boarding school. On leaving school she found work at the Cambridge University Institute of Criminology. In 1973 Susan visited Italy where she has lived ever since. The beautiful Renaissance city of Florence with its museums, art and history captured her heart.