F5: Susan McKinney on Her Favorite Museum, Calculators + More

Nearly a decade ago Susan McKinney took a three-month sabbatical from her full-time industrial design job to explore her interest in ceramics. She participated in artist residencies in Denmark and Greece, and soon realized that she was ready for her next pivot. “It was amazing to see the progress and evolution in such a short period of time,” McKinney says. “It became clear that it was time to take everything that I’d learned, venture out, and create something of my own.”

Susan McKinney

McKinney now runs STUDIO SUSAN in Sausalito, California, where she makes a range of pieces, from wall hangings to vessels, for collectors and commercial clients. Yet even as a successful maker with a thriving business, she is often reminded of those who told her that a career in art was an unrealistic dream. Those early days serve as motivation, as do the words of encouragement she still receives from family and friends. Meaningful expressions of support are the fuel that keeps her going through every ebb and flow.

The designer, a self-described sentimentalist, has a home full of treasures. One of her most prized possessions is an articulating wooden doll made by her grandfather decades ago. A farmer in rural Missouri, his life was filled with chores, yet whenever he had a spare moment he would carve or whittle. McKinney did not realize it at the time, but his willingness to exercise his imagination purely for play inspired her to follow her own passions.

Now she strives to connect individuals to that same sense of wonder – while also nurturing her own. “I like to explore the undiscovered possibilities of materials and take risks to do something new,” McKinney adds.

Today, Susan McKinney joins us for Friday Five!

A man wearing a red hat, sunglasses, and overalls stands on grass, facing upwards and holding a long pipe.

Photo: Kai Regan, courtesy of NPR

I’m a huge Outkast fan, and when I heard André 3000 was coming out with New Blue Sun, his experimental flute album, I got so excited. It’s spontaneous, rebellious, transcendent, and totally calming. I admire him for embracing a new world and creating something completely different than what he’s known for. He’s an amazing and talented artist – and that shows whether he’s rapping, playing a flute, or just wearing his overalls.

A white, dome-shaped structure with a large circular opening in the center is set amidst a verdant landscape with trees and grass.

Photo: Iwan Baan

Located on Teshima Island in Japan and created by artist Rei Naito and architect Ryue Nishizawa, the concept is in complete harmony with the surrounding nature. The shape of the building is based on a water drop, with two openings in its organic and horizontal interior space. The wind blows, birds chirp, water trickles on the ground, and you become completely present in the moment. If you have a chance to visit it is pretty mind-blowing.

A Casio calculator displaying the numbers 1234567890.12 on its screen. The calculator features various buttons, including memory functions, tax settings, and a solar panel at the top.

Photo: Courtesy of Casio

3. Calculators

I know that calculators come default with our computers and phones, but as a small business owner with a limited attention span I find the digital calculators unsatisfying. I struggle in a world where everything is seamlessly integrated on a screen. I recently went on a trip to Japan and bought a nice handheld Casio calculator with big buttons! The satisfaction of doing mundane calculations has increased tenfold.

A woman with long hair wearing a semi-transparent, orange and black patterned dress, standing against a white background. She is slightly leaning forward with her left arm raised.

Photo: Danielle Rueda

Simon was part of the original Alexander McQueen team, and I adore everything he does. One of the most impactful shows I saw in my early design career was Savage Beauty at The Met museum in New York, and I remember just being in total awe the whole time. Simon now rehabilitates clothes for his line When Simon Met Ralph, with his unique printing and textile manipulation techniques. He asks us to look at what we have, reimagine it, and mess it up a little. I’m always trying to remind myself of this when I want to buy something new.

A gray and orange fox is sleeping on a cushioned bench, surrounded by white pillows.

5. Admiring Local Flora + Fauna

We are fortunate to live in one of the most beautiful places that I could have dreamed of in Marin, and so I find myself staring out of my windows quite a lot. Birds, squirrels, turkeys, and deer come through – it feels very Snow White. By far my favorite visitors are foxes. For a period of time they would come to take naps on cushions in our backyard. I would just sit and watch them, sometimes for hours. And incredibly, they somehow knew to lay perfectly in the middle of the cushion, just like we do.