Life University Staff Council Newsletter Volume 8 Isssue 4 | Page 6

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at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not
have a single bit of talent left and could say, ‘I used
everything you gave me.’ And a quote by Emile Zola,
‘If you ask me what I came to do in this world, I, an
artist, will answer you: I am here to live out loud.’
Nancy Sutton | FUSED GLASS
STAFF NEWSLETTER: Please share about your artwork.
NANCY SUTTON: Right now, I am primarily a kiln-
fused glass artist. What that means is that I use
glass – art glass or recycled glass, fired in a glass
kiln, to make ornaments, dishes, sun catchers,
jewelry, etc. I recently learned some open-work
stained glass techniques that I combine with the
fused glass for unique sun catchers.
I also like to wire-wrap some of my glass pieces
and make them into unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry.
SN: What is your earliest memory of your artistic
expression? What inspired you to create it?
NS: I have been an artist for a s long as I can
remember. I would draw, initially, because it was
cheap – all you needed was a pencil and paper. At
our church, when I was a kid, we had a big bucket
of wooden beads that you could string on thick
strings, and I remember that being one of my
favorite activities. Art class was always my favorite
class in school, no matter what grade I was in! I
remember at seven or eight years old, studying
how the shadows of trees fell in the woods so I
would know how to draw them.
It’s just an innate part of my nature to create – to
make things. It’s who I am, not just what I do. Over
the course of my life I have done embroidery,
needlepoint, crochet, counted cross stitch and was
a quilter for 30 years, and several of my designs
were published in national magazines. I am
happiest when I’m making something.
Both of my grandmothers were very much into
crochet and embroidery. My mother says that my
paternal grandmother couldn’t sit still unless she
had something to work on with her hands, and I
am much the same. I get a lot of flak for doodling
during meetings, but it helps me listen. My Aunt
Ethelyn taught me to crochet when I was about
ten, and that’s also when I started making beaded
jewelry. I would spend my whole allowance on
beads or yarn.
quirky. I enjoy seeing their personalities come to
life as I put the pieces together.
SN: Do you sell your art?
NS: I sell at shows primarily, but hope to ramp up
my online presence sometime soon. In the past,
my work (play) has been in art galleries, and I’ve
had a booth at an antique store. My ornaments and
stars are available at the Marietta Artist’s Attic – the
gallery above the Local Exchange on the Square.
SN: Do you have a website?
NS: Since I spend eight hours a day in front of a
computer, it isn’t thrilling for me to think about going
home and firing up a computer to build a website. I
would rather go to the studio and make something!
SN: Can we find your art on social media? Handles?
NS: I am on Instagram @mycheerfulglass and on
Facebook as Cheerful Glass. My daughter says I
don’t post enough, but I’m not from the generation
that thinks everyone cares deeply about what I’m
doing every minute, so I don’t really think about
posting pictures while I’m making something! I
suppose I should think about that more …
SN: Do you ever publicly share your art? Where/When?
NS: I sell at shows, but don’t have any upcoming. I
have been in galleries, but am not presently.
SN: Is there anything else you would like to share
about your art?
NS: No matter what situation I’m in, I think I would
always find a creative outlet. Even if I am unable
to work in glass anymore, I would find some way
to be creative. It’s bigger than me. I am driven to
create, and I can’t imagine ever stopping!
Bill Watson | WOODWORKING
STAFF NEWSLETTER: Please share about your artwork.
BILL WATSON: I’ve been involved in woodworking
for nearly 25 years. My initial interest in
woodworking grew out of my work at a car
stereo store. While working there, I learned to
use a variety of tools to build custom speaker
enclosures. This experience taught me that I could
take a pile of wood and turn it into something
useful and beautiful. Over the years, my skills
have evolved, and I’ve built dining room tables,
ceremonial maces, kitchen cabinets, bookcases,
pens and more.
SN: What other inspirations have you incorporated
into your artwork as time has gone on? SN: What is your earliest memory of your artistic
NS: I love gardening and nature. My artwork is very expression? What inspired you to create it?
whimsical. I like to make animals, birds and sea
creatures, each one a little different and kind of BW: Necessity was my inspiration at first. My wife
and I wanted unique, high-quality furniture for
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LIFE AT LIFE VOL 8. Issue 4
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