About the Artists at Belvedere Art Tile

Susan Martin Serra

Susan Martin Serra is the owner and principal artist at Belvedere.  Susan began her career in tile work while studying art at California State University at Fullerton where she earned an M.A. degree in illustration and M.F.A. in ceramics. During those years, Susan worked as a freelance artist creating designs for a prominent California tile manufacturer. In 1997, she studied “maiolica” (often spelled majolica) painting in Florence, Italy. Susan has taught ceramics at the college level and continues teaching through an apprenticeship program at Belvedere.

Susan’s artistic inspiration is primarily derived from the beauty of her surroundings in the San Juan Mountains of Southern Colorado where she finds nature to be an endless source of creative energy.

Susan explains, “the technique of maiolica, or tin-glazed earthenware painting, allows me all the subtleties of working in watercolor with the added richness and depth of the glazed clay surface. I am now also working in stoneware and porcelain and enjoying an exploration into more earthy glazes. I love the contrast between the mediums and the different processes that each requires. In some projects, I have the benefit of employing both methods of working.
Working with clay is peaceful; it slows you down and it grounds you. Its formlessness spells out endless creative possibilities. The opportunity to work in three dimensions gives greater latitude for the expression of both the inner and outer worlds of human experience. Clay can be seen as a metaphor for what is ethereal and ever changing, yet eternal and of the earth.”

K Sway

K Sway recently joined Belvedere in the capacity of artist-apprentice where she is studying all aspects of clay work. K’s specialty is nature art and she brings to Belvedere over 25 years of drawing and painting experience.

Born and raised in the Midwest, K received her formal art training at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois. She recently studied computer graphics at Moraine Valley College (also located in Illinois) where she learned computer graphic skills including Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. During her earlier years in Illinois, K divided her time between her freelance animal portrait business and studies in the art of horsemanship.