We recently connected with Susan Parrish and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Susan, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
As a young child, I watched my mother live a creative life by sewing my clothes for my sister and I. At Easter each year, she made beautiful garments and regularly created complimentary hats and purses. By the age of five I was extremely interested in the craft of sewing. My mother allowed me to use any left over cloth. She even allowed me to use her new sewing machine. When my father first saw this, he said “but she will sew her fingers” and I did. But I kept sewing, making Barbie clothes and stuffed animals at first and soon my own clothes. In the Second grade I made a dress and proudly wore my new dress to school. About this time, I won first prize in an art contest. I can still remember my excitement, my painting and my growing belief that I would have a career In the arts.
Susan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In college I studied art and graphic design, Soon afterwards, I began to take classes in pottery at Pullen Art Center I immediately fell in love with this medium, Soon I set up a clay studio in my small garage. Continuing to work in clay for many years. I began to realize that my clay work was getting stale, to me at least, and I longed to move on. My work in clay was always inspired by the Earth but after this time, I began to express my concern for the Earth. I did this by using found objects, i.e. throw away items and junk. This work captivated me in the same way that clay had in the decades before.
After being inspired by the Earth for many years, Now I am also interested in expanding my relationship to the Earth by doing work that makes a difference in saving the earth. I discovered using found objects, i.e junk and throw away items. Morphing from working totally in clay to found objects, my work has found new life and new meaning. I now consider this my mission in life.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
As my husband says, I have re-invented myself many times.. From my perspective, changing my medium and my work has always been about following my inner voice to make the work I feel the need to make.
Having worked in clay for most of my early art/craft career, my work changed drastically over time.. From functional pottery to sculptural ceramics and next to adding found objects to these sculptures.. As I moved forward, the clay began to be unimportant in my found object sculpture. This work has fascinated me and led me forward for the last decade. As my work continues to evolve, I have recently been inspired to add up cycled fabric and fiber my portfolio. I am now in the investigation and learning stage.
My work In clay was always inspired by the Earth and global warming, but now I am also interested in expanding my relationship by actually making work that will make a difference in saving the earth, if only a small part. I discovered using found objects, i.e junk and throw away items. Morphing from working totally in clay to found objects, my work has found
new life and new meaning.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
As my husband says, I have re-invented myself many times.. From my perspective, changing my medium and my work has always been about following my inner voice to make the work I feel the need to make.
Having worked in clay for most of my early art/craft career, my work changed drastically over time.. From functional pottery to sculptural ceramics and next to adding found objects to these sculptures.. As I moved forward, the clay began to be unimportant in my found object sculpture. This work has fascinated me and led me forward for the last decade. As my work continues to evolve, I have recently been inspired to add up cycled fabric and fiber my portfolio. I am now in the investigation and learning stage.
My work In clay was always inspired by the Earth and global warming, but now I am also interested in expanding my relationship by actually making work that will make a difference in saving the earth, if only a small part. I discovered using found objects, i.e junk and throw away items. Morphing from working totally in clay to found objects, my work has found
new life and new meaning.
Contact Info:
- Website: susanparrishart.com
- Instagram: susanparrishart
- Facebook: Susan Farrar Parrish
Image Credits
photos by the artist