Cycle Breaker: How Susan Maude Buchser-Lochocki Transformed Life’s Challenges Into Purpose-Driven Impact

Susan Maude Buchser-Lochocki describes herself as a cycle breaker, someone who chooses not to accept limitations, but instead works toward creating a more meaningful path forward. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to growth, motherhood, and creative expression, all guided by a simple but powerful belief: to leave the world better.

Her story is not defined by a single identity. She is a mother, an artist, and a nonprofit founder. Each role reflects a different dimension of her life, yet all are connected by a consistent intention to build, contribute, and engage.

Inspired early on by the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Susan chose to turn philosophical ideas into lived experience. Rather than viewing meaning as abstract, she approached it as something to be practiced daily through action.

A Life Built Across Worlds

Born in 1965 at Travis Air Force Base, Susan’s early years exposed her to a variety of environments. From time spent in Guam to growing up in Rochester, she developed a broad perspective on people and culture from an early age.

She showed strong abilities in both mathematics and art, eventually pursuing formal training at Parsons School of Design, where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Her career path later extended into the financial sector, where she worked with clients on complex financial matters.

This combination of analytical thinking and creative expression became a defining characteristic of her approach to life. Rather than choosing between structure and creativity, she integrated both.

Today, that same balance is reflected in her ongoing work, where artistic expression meets purposeful engagement with communities and shared human experiences.

Experiences That Shaped Her Perspective

In her early thirties, Susan made a deliberate decision to approach life with intention. She created a list of goals centered around building a family and shaping a meaningful future.

After relocating to Switzerland, she entered a new chapter of life that brought both profound challenges and personal growth. The loss of her first child due to a heart condition, followed by her daughter’s diagnosis with childhood leukemia, reshaped her understanding of life and resilience.

Years of treatment and recovery followed. Today, her daughter is healthy and living fully, a reflection of endurance and hope.

These experiences became defining moments. They reinforced the understanding that life carries both hardship and gratitude, often at the same time. Rather than stepping away from difficulty, Susan chose to move forward through it, allowing those moments to inform her perspective and purpose.

Returning to Art With Purpose

Following these life experiences, Susan returned to art with renewed intention. What began as personal expression evolved into a way to connect people through shared experiences.

In Zurich, she organized exhibitions, including events at Cabaret Voltaire, a space known for its connection to artistic experimentation and cultural dialogue.

In 2019, she created “Dadastock,” a concept inspired by both Dadaism and the legacy of Woodstock, bringing together artistic expression and community engagement.

She also participated in “Three Generations of American Women” at the American Women’s Club of Zurich, alongside her mother and daughter. The exhibition aligned with the 100th anniversary of women’s voting rights in the United States, creating a meaningful intersection of family, history, and creative expression.

Her work consistently reflects a desire to bring people together through shared understanding rather than division.

Maude n-Art Foundation, Inc.

To support her broader vision, Susan founded Maude n-Art Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in the United States.

The foundation focuses on promoting unity, peace, and connection through artistic initiatives and collaborative projects. Its mission centers on encouraging dialogue and shared human experience through creative platforms.

Her work emphasizes real-life experiences, particularly those connected to women, motherhood, and personal growth. Rather than focusing on surface-level narratives, the foundation highlights deeper themes that resonate across different communities.

Perspective and Ongoing Work

Now 60, Susan continues to build on the goals she established earlier in life while evolving her work in new directions. She remains active through her foundation, creative projects, and community involvement.

She describes herself as a visual thinker, someone who naturally sees connections and possibilities. This perspective influences how she approaches both art and life.

Her journey reflects continuity rather than conclusion. It is not about fitting into a single category, but about continuing forward with intention.

A Continuing Commitment

Susan Maude Buchser-Lochocki’s story is one of movement, growth, and purpose. Through personal challenges, creative exploration, and ongoing work, she has remained focused on contributing in a meaningful way.

Her guiding principle remains simple: to leave the world better than she found it.

And for her, that work continues.

Explore more at Maude n-Art Foundation, Susan's official site, Youtube, LinkedIn, X and Facebook page.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational and inspirational purposes only. It focuses on personal experiences, creative work, and nonprofit initiatives. Any interpretations of broader systems, institutions, or public matters are not presented as factual claims and are outside the scope of this feature.