HOME ABOUT US ARTISTS EVENTS CLASSES ENEWS SIGN UP Susan G. Luster Decorative and Functional Clay Art susisolar@aol.com Click on images to enlarge Smilax Vine Wall Hanging Ikebana Vase Vine Serving Platter Fern Serving Bowl For over 20 years, Susan G. Luster promoted energy efficiency and renewable energy through conferences, training events and publications. She worked for New England Solar Energy Association, NC Advanced Energy and NC Sustainable Energy Association as Administrative Director, Senior Communications Specialist, and Executive Director, respectively. In 2000, she started Susisolar Clayworks, where she creates decorative and functional stoneware clay art by pressing plant material into the soft clay—capturing fragments of nature as a reminder of how fragile today’s environment is. Susan remains an avid environmentalist and finds there is never an end to the work needing to be done to make our environment healthier. She has served on the boards of NC Conservation Network, NC Sustainable Energy Assn., American Solar Energy Society, and various community energy campaigns. She is currently on the NC Conservation Network’s Advisory Board, chair of the Triangle Potters Guild’s fall festival committee, and chairs Cary Gallery of Artists’ marketing committee. Much of her inspiration for making and decorating pottery comes from the plant world. The herbs, flowers and wild things growing in her yard and in her path as she travels find their way into the clay. She presses leaves into the clay before it is formed and fired. The leaves burn out, leaving an impression that is hand painted with underglaze, making them appear to be alive in the clay after the high temperature second firing. All pieces are hand formed, glazed and fired by the artist in her home studio. TOP © Cary Gallery of Artists. Please do not use or reproduce without written permission.