About the Artist

Clay and Fiber Artist

Suzanne Burke

A Colorado transplant with mountain roots and a troubled past finds peace and tranquility in central Louisiana.

From a broken home and living in near poverty conditions on their rural mountain horse ranch near Nederland, Colorado, Suzanne found profound love and friendship with her ranch animals and art, drawing, and sculpture became her outlet. The very thought of creating something beautiful from nothing; the dirt; the mud; the clay; drove her to learn the ancient arts of pottery, sculpture, and fiber felting often incorporating animal imagery and wool fiber into her unique pieces. After leaving an abusive childhood behind her, Suzanne discovered pottery as a path to healing. With themes reminiscent of her mountain heritage, wildlife, and nature Suzanne incorporates reflections of the aspects of her life that gave her hope.

In 2020, Suzanne and her husband, Jason, invested in an 80-acre ranch where they opened and operated Thunder Hoof Horse Rescue. This western lifestyle provided Suzanne with an opportunity to pursue her art on a full-time basis. She was able to combine her passions by contributing all profits from her pottery to save, care for, and rehome dozens of horses.

With her children grown and considering several medical concerns, Suzanne and Jason, drawn to the rich culture, beautiful landscape, and southern history of Central Louisiana relocated to Pineville from Colorado in late 2023.

With Louisiana as her muse, Suzanne has found new inspiration in the kindness, honesty, and soul of the local people. She loves the beauty of the bayou and the woods, including all the creatures that inhabit them and is excited to incorporate these themes into her art. She feels the abundant art community and culture of Louisiana are food for her soul. Suzanne feels incredibly blessed by the transformative, healing power of art and is thrilled to share her art and pottery with the community.

Suzanne Burke