I believe I’ve always been an artist!
I’ve always loved working with my hands, getting messy, and creating in some way or another. My mother still has some of the first pieces of art that I made growing up on her shelves in her home. One of the pieces that she loves telling people about is of this small, coil-built clay mug about 2 inches tall, that I painted purple, blue, and pink. I probably made it in first or second grade, but it’s something that she’s kept all this time and it’s one of my favorite little ugly pieces. As I found my way into working with Ceramics again as an adult, I like to look back at this tiny pink mug and think of just how far I’ve grown, but also how I’ve come full circle!
Before I dove into my journey as an artist, going to school, and applying for exhibitions, I did a lot of painting and drawing on my own. I didn’t have much knowledge on the techniques or ideas behind anything I was making, it just was what I enjoyed. After much consideration, I decided to take what I loved and go to school to try to learn more about it. I started my education at St. Petersburg college, taking as many art classes as I could fit into my schedule.
On a whim, as an elective, I decided to take a Ceramics class along with my drawing and painting courses. This small decision has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made because it completely turned my focus from working with 2D art, into branching out into this 3D realm of working with my hands directly: sculpting, throwing, casting, making!
I ended up diving deep into the world of ceramics and sculpture! I was trying so many different ways of making. I learned about glazing, I bought too many books about kilns and different types of firing techniques. And after all that, I decided to transfer to The University of South Florida to finish my degree.
I graduated from the College of the Arts at the University of South Florida in May of 2021, with a concentration in Ceramics and Sculpture. Everything that I had learned there prepared me, and impacted my way of creating in such a powerful way! I now work in mediums that range from ceramics, resin, metal, wood, and so much more!
I believe I’ve always been an artist, but by taking that first step and following my passion, I was able to learn much more than I ever could have imagined. I was pushed out of my comfort zones and sought new ways of thinking and creating!
