Susan Howard
Although Susan has always been interested in creating things, Susan Howard opted to keep the “day job” so that she could make things that please her, rather than focusing on things that might sell. Hand engraving lessons led her to metalsmithing classes, on the assumption that if the engraving went badly she’d know how to salvage the piece. Taos artist Dorothy Benrimo provided early inspiration. George Bickley of Denver was an exacting engraving teacher. Susan later went on to study with other prominent artists, including Martha Glowacki and Fred Fenster.
Susan’s work reflects her love of both nature and of processes. The idea that although metal is durable, it can also be elastic has led her to play with raising and forming. Her sense of whimsy inspired “Fantasy Flatware” series, a tablespoon with a table on the handle, a fish fork with a fish for a handle. A return to the mountains after many years in the Midwest has led to several “mountain layer” series. Each piece is based on a photograph which is replicated. Each “layer” is pierced from metal (copper brass, bronze, silver) and patinas are applied. The layers are then assembled into miniature mountanscapes. Oddly-shaped gemstones provide challenges in both design and process, leading to such pieces as “Charlotte.” Susan’s recent fascination with geology and mineralogy has taken her to gem and mineral shows. Although she doesn’t consider herself to be a collector, she has acquired an assortment of gemstones which should keep her imagining and designing for the foreseeable future.
A small gallery of Susan’s work follows.
Susan’s work reflects her love of both nature and of processes. The idea that although metal is durable, it can also be elastic has led her to play with raising and forming. Her sense of whimsy inspired “Fantasy Flatware” series, a tablespoon with a table on the handle, a fish fork with a fish for a handle. A return to the mountains after many years in the Midwest has led to several “mountain layer” series. Each piece is based on a photograph which is replicated. Each “layer” is pierced from metal (copper brass, bronze, silver) and patinas are applied. The layers are then assembled into miniature mountanscapes. Oddly-shaped gemstones provide challenges in both design and process, leading to such pieces as “Charlotte.” Susan’s recent fascination with geology and mineralogy has taken her to gem and mineral shows. Although she doesn’t consider herself to be a collector, she has acquired an assortment of gemstones which should keep her imagining and designing for the foreseeable future.
A small gallery of Susan’s work follows.
