Sue Pariseau

What kind of art do you make? I’m a studio potter making functional stoneware.

When did you start creating art? I’ve made some type of art since I can remember, but about ten years ago I started working with clay and have been addicted ever since.

How did you get started? It all started with a Community Education class. My sister and I had always wanted to try working with clay and the time was right in our lives to do it. We took a local Community Education class and both knew we wanted to continue. From there we began taking classes at the Edina Art Center. My sister’s life has taken her in a different direction, but I’ve been fortunate enough to continue on my path at my home studio.

What inspires you? I love nature and textures. Better yet are the textures in nature. I try to bring some of those textures to my pottery pieces. Sometimes adding a little texture to the outside of a bowl or mug can create a natural earthy piece that is pleasing visually and tactilely.

How did you develop your style? At this point I don’t really consider my style developed and I’m also not so sure it ever will be. I try making lots of different shapes and sizes of things until I find one that feels good to me both as the maker and user. Lots of times pots look nice but you don’t really know how it works until you’ve used it and held it in your hands.

How did you learn? Through lots of trial and error! Testing, testing and re-testing. And I love to attend workshops as I believe participation gets you thinking about using techniques and skills you may not have considered without the peer interaction.

How do you work best? I work best alone and under pressure. I’m always running the kiln just a few days before a show or event to have what feels like a suitable amount of inventory for the show. I’m not sure if I’m a procrastinator or just have unrealistic expectations of my workload.

How do you approach a new piece? I like to let the idea roll around in my head for a while. Think about it, think some more and then let it percolate. At some point I’ll try a new piece, discovered the flaws of my original plan and begin to formulate a new plan. I keep that cycle going until I come up with a design that works both aesthetically and functionally.

What have you learned? I’ve learned that science still isn’t one of my strong subjects. The “how” and “why” things work the way they do in pottery isn’t as interesting to me. There is lots of science that goes into creating certain reactions between glaze and clays to make a piece wonderful or just so-so. I prefer to think of the things that work out as happy coincidence and then try to recreate the components. What can I say, that’s just the way my brain works.

How do you fit art into your personal/family life? I work fulltime as a project manager for a utility so art mostly fits into my evenings and weekends. My kids are grown and busy with lives of their own so other demands on me are pretty minimal. Being a creative person though, does enhance my problem solving skills on the job so I guess I just practice a different kind of art there. Occasionally, I do find my mind toying with a new pottery project while looking over a set of roadway construction plans, but don’t tell my employer!!

Where do you work? I am fortunate enough to have two studio spaces to work in. One is at our house in Farmington and the other is at our farm near Lanesboro. Each space has benefits, but my favorite by far is the farm studio. The location is peaceful and the area is very beautiful. The plants and textures of the area give me lots of ideas for designs on pots.

What is your favorite thing about creating? I love to make large bowls. There is just something about the full robust shape of a large bowl that I can’t resist making them.

Do you offer classes? I don’t offer classes. I’ve considered it occasionally, but in the end neither of my studio spaces are that large and they’re hard to share. Maybe sometime in the future, but right now I kind of like the solitude of my studio time.

Why do you enjoy the art tour? The people. You get one on one time with just about everybody who stops. I like hearing their stories and finding out about them. By the time the tour is over, I’ve collected nearly as many business cards as I’ve given out. My second favorite part – during the tour, I have an arrangement with the Highland Store to make our breakfast and lunch as well as provide treats for those visiting. Their Blueberry Pancakes are to die for!! During the tour I get to have delicious meals and snacks and don’t have to make any of them. It’s a perfect arrangement.