Susie Leigh
Artists Bio
Although
born in 1950...life began at 43 when pottery found me.
CLAY HAS TAKEN OVER MY LIFE! This was evident when my diamond
went up for sale to buy studio equipment. Touching clay is as an incredible
wet experience. Clay is responsive and transforming, it has memory that
records any spin, poke, jab, scrape or cut forever, unless a piece is dropped!
Creating in clay is direct and simple, at times frenzied and sometimes
peaceful, but always interesting and launching me off on a different tangent.
Clay teaches me patience with myself and to always keep an open mind.
This and the ever present “Kiln God”, that at times allows only the survival
of one piece from the process of building, bisque, glaze firing and various
pit, raku or kiln firing, is what makes each piece special. The finished
piece carries the creativity of the potter, the power of the fire and the
spirit of the earth. Creating functional ceramic pieces with a sculptural
twist is my intent.
EDUCATION:
Completed four years of independent studies classes in ceramics and
design at McHenry County College along with attending workshops by
the following ; Robin Hopper, Richard Zankin, Paul Soldner , Robert Pipenburg,
Janet Mansfield , Richard Peeler, Yih Wen Kuo, Sam Rosby, Doug
Hanson, Susan Galloway, Tim Pfieffner , John Glick, Tom Coleman, Gail Jones,
Dave Trumble, Joe Hernandez, Bob Blue, Ken Ferguson, The Orton Foundation
and the Clay Workers Guild of Illinois.
AWARDS AND SHOWS:
1993- Faculty Merit Award-McHenry County College Student Art Exhibit
Purchase Awards-Clayworkers
Guild of IL. Holiday Exhibit
1994- Best of Show Award-McHenry County College Student Art Exhibit
Faculty Purchase
Award and Faculty Merit Award-McHenry County College
Merit Award-Illinois
Skyway Art Competition.
Purchase Award-Clayworkers
Guild of IL.Holiday Exhibit
1995- Purchase Award-Annual Manito Art Show
Purchase Award-Annual
National Womens’ Works Art Show
Illinois Skyway
Art Competition
1997- Annual Manito Art Show
1998- Purchase Award-Northwest Area Arts Council Member Art Show
Annual Manito
Art Show
1999- Merit Award-Southwest Splendor Art Show Cultural Arts Center
Purchase Award-Northwest
Area Arts Council Formal Gala Art Show
Purchase Award-Annual
National Women’s’ Works Art Show
Artistic Merit
Award and Purchase Award-Annual Manito Art Show
Strictly Functional
Pottery National Show
North American
Bonsai Pot Competition
AFFILIATES:
Clayworkers Guild of Illinois, Northwest Area Arts Council, Manito
Art League, Lakeland Area Art League, Wisconsin Regional Artists Association,
Traveling Art Show, Potters for Peace, Artists’Palette Gallery
CURRENT STATUS:
The majority of my work continues as a studio potter providing pieces
for my space at the Artists’ Palette co-op Gallery. Periodically
I give workshops and teach ongoing children’s classes which
shows them how to express themselves creatively in a harmless way.
My work utilizes low and high fire clays with a passion for raku and creating
my own glazes. The unpredictability of glazes invites infinite possibilities!
When opening a kiln the unexpected always creates excitement...the anticipation
is like Christmas! When not flirting with clay, I’m cavorting in
the woods training two “Goldens”, fishing, scuba, exercising, swimming,
cross-country skiing, family,
traveling and playing with my new granddaughter, all inspire
new reference material for creating my current “gravity defying pieces”.
PO Box 25
Manitowish Waters, WI
54545
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