Sally Watters
The beaches and lakefront on the shores of Lake Superior have provided the inspiration, as well as the materials, for much of my work. I was born in a remote area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and spent each summer at our family cottage. My sister, cousins and I walked the beach and gathered “treasures” such as beach glass, metal pieces and driftwood. I began early to work with designs based on beach finds.
Cottages of aunts, uncles and cousins surrounded our family’s summer home. Early artwork was influenced, and encouraged, by two aunts who were accomplished artists.
I continued to make art through years of schooling, raising children and family commitments. I began selling artwork after wearing my jewelry pieces and receiving requests from friends, family and even strangers. Found objects from the shores of Lake Superior form the basis of my designs. Weathered metal pieces, tumbled to a smooth finish from Lake Superior's pounding waves, often take on an abstract form and when combined with silver wire wrappings, beach glass or other found objects create a unique design with sometimes a contemporary feel.
Attempts at creating a pleasing atmosphere for my home found me tiring of purchased willow-wood porch furniture and I endeavored to create my own. Driftwood and large pieces of sandstone, similar to flagstone, were selected to form unique furniture designs. As I began to create tables and benches for my own use, requests came in from others…commissioned pieces. The weathered wood and natural stone tops are functional art. Often a singular, spectacular piece of driftwood creates the inspiration for an entirely new design. Working with natural materials is challenging but is also creatively stimulating.
The first two years, my artwork was sold primarily through juried art shows in the Midwest, galleries and through recommendations from previous customers. My summers are spent in Northern Michigan still, but a permanent residence in Arizona now allows me to offer my unique designs to the Southwest market. Even though most of my materials and inspiration are indigenous to Northern Michigan’s shorelines, they complement a number of decors, including that of the Southwest.
Sally Watters