You may be wondering how I get started making my work. Well, a long, long time ago back in 2008 (at least it feels like a long, long time ago) I was in my first fiber arts class at UK. I sat in my studio facing a huge pile of hand-dyed wool and the deadline for my final project looming just a week away. Very randomly I started cutting out circle and this is what took shape:
I loved that piece. Still love it. The next semester I took my first ceramics class where I was introduced to the work of Virginia Scotchie. For the final project I decided to do a wall installation inspired by her large-scale installations. While it may have looked cool, the spheres were a hot mess! Some of the larger ones probably weighed about five pounds and could have easily been classified as weapons. They were hung on the wall by nails but at this point I wasn't using the key-hole carved out of the back so it was just a giant gaping hole. During critique in my head I was like please don't fall off the wall, please don't fall off the wall! Thankfully they didn't and there were lots of "balls" jokes thrown around, always funny.
can I touch your balls?
The next semester I learned the glorious skill of making molds. The spheres were much, much faster to make and no longer weighed enough to kill a person. *insert angels singing* I also starting making cells, inspired by medical images. For whatever reason I was very against glazing that semester so all of these bad boys are painted.
And then for my final semester and my BFA show the cells evolved into what they are today. Now they are even lighter (under 1lb each), there are more sizes and generally there is more texture.
I've been asked what drives me to create these guys and well, my first reaction to that question is because they make me happy. Shouldn't that be the very best reason to make art? As much as I hate to admit I tend to gravitate a little more towards the 'glass half-empty' camp and I need something around me fun and cheery. Plus, usually people's reaction to them is also very positive so I feel like each and every little cell that I create puts a bit of happiness out into the world. Not to sound too terribly cheesy.
Also, I enjoy interracting with people, seeing how they react to seeing them for the first and starting conversation with them about what they think they are and what kinds of things they see in them. Their responses are so varied and interesting. Kids especially are very good at coming up with things I'd never thought of or noticed in them. The cells give me the opportunity to connect with people, which, as a social person who doesn't always get out as often as I'd like, I enjoy immensely.
Lastly, they are just very relaxing to make. When I create these guys I go to my happy spot. I have my music on, I'm singing, I probably have an iced coffee by my side. It's all very zen for me.
Also, I enjoy interracting with people, seeing how they react to seeing them for the first and starting conversation with them about what they think they are and what kinds of things they see in them. Their responses are so varied and interesting. Kids especially are very good at coming up with things I'd never thought of or noticed in them. The cells give me the opportunity to connect with people, which, as a social person who doesn't always get out as often as I'd like, I enjoy immensely.
Lastly, they are just very relaxing to make. When I create these guys I go to my happy spot. I have my music on, I'm singing, I probably have an iced coffee by my side. It's all very zen for me.
