Artist
Statement
My chosen medium and passion is glass.
Glass is a wonderful, fluid substance
and I am continually inspired by the endless
and awe inspiring colors, reflections
and shapes possible in this medium. Although
I work in many forms of glass, I find
my true passion to be fusing. I enjoy
constantly pushing the edge for more complex
and creative work in a kiln and I incorporate
techniques such as slumping, drop-outs,
manipulation, sandblasting, luster’s and
non-glass inclusions in my work.
I find it extremely fulfilling to express
my addiction to color and texture in
this very seductive medium and love
that my work is completely functional
and that the owner will be able to incorporate
it into his/her life completely. I want
my work to bring a strong, emotional
response and to add new dimensions to
the viewer’s environment.
Biography
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Susan spent
many years working in the non-creative
and stressful world of automotive manufacturing.
During this time she began taking stained
glass classes to “exercise the creative
side of her brain”. She has been working
and creating with stained glass since
1992 and when she could no longer find
enough time to work in her studio she
made the (wise) decision to quit her “real
job”. She is continually intrigued and
mystified with the medium and while searching
for new ways to express herself discovered
“warm glass” (this term describes kiln
forming techniques including fusing, slumping,
and manipulation); her life hasn’t been
the same since!
Susan has worked with large slumped and
fused pieces and recent commissions include
fusing and slumping the upper half of
a glass mannequin. She uses the combination
of different types of glass, and incorporating
non-glass inclusions to provide texture
and interest in her work. Although she
has been focusing on “warm glass” for
the last few years, she still enjoys using
mosaic and stained glass techniques as
well as making Tiffany style lamps.
Susan teaches stained glass and “warm
glass” classes at her studio Glass House
Designs in Lowell, MI and at a variety
of Southwest Michigan Art Councils and
private studios.
