BIO
Susan Lister Locke is an artist and jewelry designer living on the island of Nantucket thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Susan’s life has been one of inspiration and creativity. A native New Englander, she has always pursued a creative path. In her youth, a passion for fashion design became the focus of her professional life. Life took a different course after moving to Nantucket, where an interest in gems, precious metals, and sculpture led her to a career in Jewelry Design.
It started with classes on Nantucket, and led to travels throughout the US and master classes in Italy. Susan’s thirst for learning and development continues unabated. The results have been stunning and acclaimed. Previously, she has shown at the prestigious Nantucket Looms, at Dimson Homma in Manhattan, and Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts. Today she runs a waterfront gallery of her own at 28 Easy Street on Nantucket.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
“From my gallery on Easy Street, I look out on Nantucket Harbor with all its marine activity, and I see the fabulous light and changing colors of the sun, sea and sky. I find this—along with the flora and fauna of the Island—truly inspirational and vital to my work and my very being.”
“I try to incorporate all of this into my work, into my choices for gemstones, my shapes and finishes—whether they be sculptural or organic, highly polished or subtly burnished. I may start with an idea—a specific image—but often times the process itself takes me on a different journey and surprises me. It’s as if what emerges as a finished design was there all the time, with its own energy, just waiting to be released.”
“Commission work is a specialty and an honor. I love to have people come to me with an idea or bring me a family piece and ask me to give it new life. Creating new stories with heirlooms is so important and such a delight for me.”
“I get to know my clients so well, typically on multiple projects. Often in my travels I will find stones—which remind me of my clients—so I’ll make a piece of jewelry for them surprising them with the results. They are always delighted, and so am I!”
“We cannot compete with Mother Nature, we can only carry her train.”
