Susan Ellzey

Susan Ellzey, who was an English professor and college administrator in her other life, began working with clay in 1996. The world of clay is one of discovery, challenge, and experimentation. She says, "working with clay, hand building and raku firing, is an extraordinary experience." Although clay is a forgiving medium, it does make demands- sometimes the form that emerges is not the one she planned, but the one she sees. Her inspiration comes from nature- the sea, fish, flowers, and people, places, and animals. Her unique figurative sculptures, evocative of ancient cultures, result from travel, literature, and imagination. Susan's work is hand built; most of it is raku-fired- a method of rapid firing, taking the work out of the kiln with tongs, putting it in combustible material, and then dousing it with water to stop reduction.