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Susan Silverman,
Five Wings Studio,
Fitzwilliam, NH
Email: five5wings@gmail.com
Website: https://susanlinksilverman.squarespace.com/
Artist Statement: For many years I have worked in clay, literally making something out of simple materials. My current work explores this concept more deeply. The closed forms of burnished porcelain reference seed pods forms, the essence of an end and beginning.
Studio Description: Set in a small town in southwestern NH in a converted barn, I have made work here for the past 39 years. I charted my course with clay after several years studying in Japan. I established my business with blue underglaze brushwork on porcelain.
What type of clay do you use? Porcelain
What temperature do you fire to? Cone 10 or cone 022
What is your primary forming method? Wheel thrown
What is your favorite surface treatment? high temperature reduction glaze/burnished low-temp
Do you make any of your own tools? Yes, throwing sticks, ribs, stamps, carving tools, tile making.
What one word would you use to describe your work? Surface
What is your favorite thing about your studio? Peaceful
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without? Music
What are your top three studio wishes? Better windows/heat.
What’s on your current reading list? All the Light We Cannot See, Materials and Glazes
How do you save money on materials and supplies? reprocessing clay with de-airing pug mill
How do you recharge creatively? Gardening, swimming/boating, painting and drawing.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome? Making new work is the biggest challenge: finding new ideas that move the work forward, yet connect with the past.
What did you first piece look like? A simple functional piece with a dreadful cobalt blue glaze.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why? What???
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why? Gerry Williams and Angela Fina: pioneers of art and thought.
What is your studio playlist? Reggae and world music
Why do you create art? To keep my sanity.
What is your best studio tip? Check your ego at the door.