Susan Marquardt,
Pottery Marq,
Chicago, Illinois
Email: ssnmarquardt@gmail.comWebsite: http://potterymarq.com/
Artist Statement:
After getting an idea of what I want to do, I begin the process of sculpting with a white stoneware clay. After the bisque fire, I cover the sculpture with Mason stain mixture, rinse (leaving color in recesses), clear glaze, and fire to cone 02.
Studio Description:
A small home studio with a Boss wheel, Olympic kiln (#1823), and a small photography studio. All of my equipment, work spaces, and shelving are recycled and re-purposed.
What type of clay do you use?
White stoneware with grog (Cone 04)
What temperature do you fire to?
Bisque fire to cone 04 and final fire to cone 02
What is your primary forming method?
My sculptured vessels are wheel thrown with hand sculpted attachments.
What is your favorite surface treatment?
Mason stain and slip mixed with water, rinsed, then clear gloss glazed.
Do you make any of your own tools?
My slab roller is hand constructed by filling a 4 inch PVC pipe with plaster and capping off the ends. I use two strips of trim for the desired slab height.
What one word would you use to describe your work?
Horror.
What is your favorite thing about your studio?
It ergonomically set up for me and accommodates my disability.
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
My Kemper sculpting tool. I have 6 of the same tool and use it constantly for sculpting.
What are your top three studio wishes?
A new, larger, kiln. A pug mill with a vacuum attachment. A proper slab roller.
What’s on your current reading list?
Pottery Making Illustrated magazine and Potters Bible, by Marilyn Scott
How do you save money on materials and supplies?
I repurpose most of my supplies and buy off Let Go or Craigslist
How do you recharge creatively?
I browse books and magazines for creative inspiration.
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
I made custom shelving that I am able to reset depending on my current needs.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
Being very new to ceramics, I challenged myself to set up a studio, open my own business, and accepted custom sculpture requests.
What did you first piece look like?
It is a small wheel thrown vase with a leaf attachment and blue glaze.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
Production wheel throwing skills. I only throw vessels on the wheel in order to sculpt attachments. My disability prevents me from throwing much.
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
My professor, Dubhe Carreno, because of her patience, skill, and direction.
What is your studio playlist?
80's hair bands.
Why do you create art?
I would die without it. Even if I did not sell one thing, I need to do it for myself. It relieves stress and is something I do only for myself.
What is your best studio tip?
Set up a good, small, photo studio to take semi professional photos of all your work.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
I am too new to clay to know difference.
