SUSAN POTTER

Painting is my passion! I have been painting for over 40 years and find it to be my happy place. I have taken many classes in both acrylic and watercolor. I started out painting folk art and progressed over the years to decorative painting on just about any surface I could find: glass, slate, rock, metal and, of course, wood.

Ten years ago, my husband and I became "snow birds" and purchased a home in Arizona. I quickly was attracted to gourds which are grown there. I joined a Gourd Club in our community and have been designing gourds almost exclusively. The designing includes wood burning and carving with special equipment and tools used by wood carvers. On some pieces I add embellishments with woven pine needles or grasses. On others, I will add beads or special cabochons. I am so intrigued by the many shapes and sizes of gourds and especially the uniqueness of each one. The color variations on the surface are wonderful and I often use transparent ink dyes so the gorgeous tones appear on the finished piece. It's challenging for me to take a raw gourd from the field with its moldy, dried (and sometimes muddy) shell, make it beautiful and then share it with others.

I hope that those who see my work will enjoy the uniqueness of each piece.

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All classes and events listed are held in the creative space of the Arts Alive Gallery.
1429 Cole Street, Enumclaw WA 98022   gallery@plateauartsalive.org   360-802-6787
To view and purchase handmade local art, visit the Arts Alive Gallery. We are open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am-4 pm