Suzanne Schweig Langsdorf Martyl grew up in St. Louis and earned the nickname of "Martyl" from her mother. It was also from her mother that she received her initial training in art. She earned her first awards as a child including first prize in a drawing competittion at the St. Louis Art Museum at the age of eleven.

Following graduation from Washington University, Martyl studied at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (Broadmoor Academy) under Arnold Blanch.