November 3D Featured Artist Susan Archer
Sue Archer’s earliest memory is drawing on the chalkboard with her sister Sally who has long since passed from cancer. “Art heartens people – art lifts up our spirits, captures our memories and sparks our creativity.” Her art reflects a gratitude for how much we are shown and given: flowers, children playing, gifts of mercy - even bumble bees!.
Sue works mostly in Vitreous painting. Vitreous painting fires paint on glass and is seen commonly in stained glass windows which existed from before the 12th century. “When designing glass pieces, I enjoy the challenge of incorporating both reflective and transmitted light.” Sue’s pieces combine glass fusing, forming and stained-glass techniques. Her series called “Sky Necklaces” will show at Harborview Gallery in November
Sue received a BFA and a MSCS, working a Fortune 500 engineering company working up from a programmer to management. She retired in 2010, when she and Neil moved to Cape Coral, joining Cape Vineyard Church, and transitioning from primarily watercolors and ceramics to focusing on creating and teaching classes in glass. Her first classes were at the Cape Coral Art Studio with Lois Johnson.
The in-work “Guardian Angels” ornament series was inspired by Pastor Kim Stilson, who mentors Sue in teaching classes for children at Cape Vineyard Church. Her friends Nancy Abele and Cindy Berger from the Vineyard support and encourage her by volunteering their time for these monthly classes. “It is so inspiring to watch these children blossom when doing art, they are excited and encouraged when working on the projects. I am so grateful to even be in the room to witness it.”
Sue has a home studio where she teaches workshops. Her “Beginners Guide to Glass Fusing” booklet includes information on the design, science, tools, firing techniques and troubleshooting of Glass Fusing and Vitreous Painting. Sue’s glass pieces have been shown at art centers, including the Naples Art Center, Sanibel - Smithsonian’s Waterways exhibit, Marco Island Center for the Arts, Sydney & Berne Davis Art Center in Ft. Myers, Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, the Cape Coral Art Studio and Cape Coral Art League. Sue is a member of the Cape Vineyard Church, Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild and the Cape Coral Art League. Sue and her husband enjoy boating and traveling around the US and to Iceland (shown in picture), Europe, England, Poland, Jamaica & Caribbean and Canada for inspiration.
