Genie Sue became interested in pottery when she was exposed to the amazing pottery of Japan while studying there her senior year at Carleton College. She was fascinated by the mixture of function and expression she saw in the endless array of dishes used in preparing and serving every meal. She was particularly interested in the way that beautifully handmade utilitarian ware could become the focal point for cooking and eating, activities that create opportunities for forming long lasting and meaningful relationships.

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After she married, she was able to spend time pursuing her interest in pottery. She attended the University of Kentucky and studied with Byron Temple. She fell in love with the deeply rooted craft tradition that permeated the Eastern Kentucky Hill culture. She later moved with her family to Miami, Florida where she continued to develop her pottery skills at the University of Miami. There she studied with Erv Dixon, Christine Federighi and David Vertaznik. She completed her Masters in Fine Arts at the University of Miami in 1978. Her masters thesis focused on the exploration and development of techniques used by early Peruvian and Native Potters of the Southwest known as Terra Sigillata. She worked many years using those techniques and firing her work in sawdust.

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When she and her family finally settled down in Idaho, she was able to establish a permanent studio and ventured into producing functional pottery.She also became involved in the operation of non-profit agencies serving low income families in Idaho and strayed from the world of art for about 30 years. Now that she has retired, she is returning to her roots and is producing both functional and decorative ware.