Three Generations of Family Showcase Art Together

During September, local residents can enjoy an art exhibit put on by three generations of one Deerfield family: 10-year old Zoe Mason, her 47-year-old mom, Susie, and her 76-year-old grandfather, David Marks.  

“I am so excited to be in this exhibit with my kids and my granddaughter,” Marks said about the work at the in Deerfield.

A family friend suggested the trio showcase its talents together. Now, their pieces are on display through the rest of September.  

The Deerfield clan has always had an artistic side, which is why the collaboration has been easy. 

“I would watch her draw when she was in grammar school, high school and then she went to college,” Marks remembered of his daughter Susie who majored in graphic design in college. “I saw her develop into a very fine artist.”

Zoe began developing her skills at a young age as well. “Mom told me that when I was little, I would draw on the walls,” Zoe said. “That’s probably when I started to do it.”

Ever since, she has enjoyed working alongside her mother.

“I like to go in the basement in her studio and paint with her,” she said.

Marks didn’t start focusing on his painting until he retired from being an architect in 2003 but was looking for something to do and decided to take an art class with Susie in Highland Park.  

“A lot of my friends had no idea I did anything like this,” he said about some who have visited the exhibit. “For me, it’s exciting to be able to show people,” which is what Zoe has liked too.  

“If you’re there, while other people are there, looking at the stuff, you can see different reactions and it’s kind of cool to see what other people think of your art,” the 10-year-old said.

But more than that, the three generations have enjoyed being a part of this experience together and say they’re looking forward to doing another in the future.   

"I should mention how proud I am to be with such wonderful artists as my father and my daughter," Susie said. "I'm very proud of them both."