Suzanne Parisi
Artist Statement
Growing up in the serene landscape of a small Iowa town, my journey as an artist was an unexpected evolution from a passion for photography to a profound exploration of the transformative nature of glass. Initially drawn to capturing fleeting moments through the lens, I found myself entranced by the interplay of light, emotion, and the beauty of the natural world always having a passion to capture moments and memories forever through pictures. The joy on faces. The beauty of light and nature. The feeling of peace from the night sky. All inspired my photos.
Thousands of photos and years later, I began trying a variety of creative mediums. I was inextricably drawn to art mediums which involved heat and fire. When in the studio, I become absorbed working with glass. I enjoy testing new methods and am completely intrigued by how light and heat change glass. One of my favorite techniques is using glass powder to create sgraffito drawn wall art inspired by nature. Every stroke is imbued with reverence for the world around us, a homage to the timeless rhythms of creation.
Glass has a mystifying quality; it bends to the will of the artist yet retains an elusive autonomy, often dictating its own path. Much like life itself, working with glass is a dance between control and surrender, a delicate balance of intention and intuition. As Graham Muir states, “glass, as most who work in it know, can be very persuasive in having its own way”. My art is an ongoing journey of experimentation to capture the extraordinary moments and the feeling of life with new techniques and combining skills from a variety of mediums. From functional designs to sculptural marvels, my work spans the spectrum of kiln-formed glass, bridging the gap between abstraction and representation.
In essence, my art is a celebration of life's boundless possibilities—a symphony of light and color, form and texture, woven together in a tapestry of wonder. Through glass, I seek to capture the fleeting moments of magic that define our existence, inviting viewers to embark on a journey of discovery and contemplation.
Biography
Suzanne Parisi grew up in the small town of Rock Rapids, Iowa. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Drake University, she moved to Southern California and build a successful sales career. In 1997, Suzanne received her law degree from Southwestern University School of Law and moved to Virginia where she married the love of her life and began a legal career with Thomson Reuters. From her very early years as an editor of the school paper to her time as an active mom, Suzanne was a passionate photographer. Upon retiring from the law in 2022, Suzanne launched a creative journey of discovery taking over 37 classes in various mediums and crafts. Upon discovering fused glass at the Art Glass Center at Glen Echo, she was captivated by glass. It was amidst the enchanting surroundings of the Art Glass Center at Glen Echo that Suzanne's connection with fused glass blossomed. Entranced by the kaleidoscope of colors and the alchemy of heat, she found in glasswork a medium perfectly suited to channel her creativity and imagination. As a proud member of the Capital Area Glass Guild, Suzanne continues to weave her dreams into tangible works of art, each piece a testament to her unwavering dedication and boundless curiosity. With each stroke of glass, she paints a picture of her journey—a journey fueled by passion, guided by love, and illuminated by the timeless beauty of art.
@sparisiart.bsky.social