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Do you take a risk in your life? Do you push yourself towards new experiences? To be honest, every single one of us values comfort in life. It is in our nature to feel safe and to avoid stress.
That's why it is always a great pleasure and inspiration to encounter people who work differently. People that have strong grit to take things to the next level. To have an open heart and a different view on life. Annette Janelle atelier is a place where she explores her creativity. Always in her self-exploring world, she takes her art and gives it to the judgment of the world. Explores new designs, reinvents old ones, and creates an exciting experience. While always communicating with her loving audience. Taking the best from every critique, and learning while nurturing her creativity.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

I've lived in Arizona since I was a little kid, so I consider myself an Arizona native even though I wasn't born here. I grew up in Phoenix and currently live in Payson. My art journey has been a long and winding one. I started out with the basics every child has, but I knew I had a talent for it early on and never stopped creating. I recall selling some drawings of horses to classmates in grade school for 25 cents, so it's clear my ambition has been with me my entire life. In high school I focused mainly on drawing and illustration. I had the opportunity to take a ceramics class and loved it, but had no further access to the medium until community college where I took Ceramics 101, fell deeply in love with clay, and settled into my chosen medium from that point onward. It's still the only college-level ceramics class I've taken, so my progress since then is all self-taught. Prior to that fateful ceramics class I had hoped to become a watercolor illustrator, and I still use my illustrative skill and style often when decorating my work. I've been exclusively an independent ceramist for over a year now, since leaving my part-time marketing job last September, and I honestly can't imagine anything else being an appropriate career for me.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I don't think it's so much an emotion as a compulsion. I've always had this need to create, and that's what drives me. My hands hate being idle. I love to watch my creations come to life in my hands and exist in three dimensions. With ceramics, it's like the object has a life of its own, especially the characters I create, as if I'm a conduit guiding a spirit into stone. Emotion is evoked by the piece itself -- the most common comments I receive from my buyers are about how much joy they get from the presence of my art in their homes. In terms of creative process, I like to indulge my spontaneity. Of course it depends on the project I'm working on. Sometimes I do have a more established plan or vision of what the piece should look like in the end. I find that, more often than not, if I sit on an idea for too long, I won't actually start it because another idea will pop up and take over my attention. My best work is usually spontaneous in nature with a sort of shotgun approach (as much as that can be applied to ceramics) where I am inspired, and I start and complete at least the initial sculptural stage of the piece in a short span of time. 

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

Broadly, my most successful current work is focused on human identity and our relationship to nature and the universe. It references the ways in which we relate to the world around us and reach for meaning in the universe beyond. More specifically, my most popular current work was inspired by a pet peeve. I've reliably observed that in mainstream contemporary art it is so much more common to see female nudity than male nudity. People tend to be more shocked and offended by male nudity than female nudity, and that really, really bugs me a lot. Like, SO MUCH. I don't intend my work to be shocking or sexual, and I don't think it comes off like that, because it's just so darn pretty and humorous and pure, but it should raise questions about inequity among the sexes and disproportionate sexualization of females over males. It's the reason I started making nude figure pots and mugs, and giving equal time if not even a little extra time to the nude male figures to make up for the oversaturation of female nudity. My driving concepts and focuses have changed over time, but that's a decent description of my most current work. As artists, our work should evolve as we do, and I'm certain that my focus will shift sometime in the future as I continue to grow as an artist.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

The biggest one is financial security of course. Here in the United States, not having access to a truly affordable and comprehensive healthcare plan option is probably my biggest source of anxiety these days ($15K+ deductible with a $350+ premium is not affordable - looking at you Affordable Care Act). I started a Patreon page back in April of this year and that has been surprisingly successful. I'm fortunate to have an employed spouse to share living expenses with, but I still get a flurry of anxiety every month before I do a shop update, so I suppose managing anxiety is probably my biggest struggle. My income largely depends on how much work I'm able to finish and sell in a month, and ceramics is very time consuming and process intensive. It's difficult to balance my work, other responsibilities, and vital recreation and relaxation time. 
My advice for starting artists is to begin by dipping your toes in, and just keep pushing deeper a little at a time. Try different things, and pay attention to what works and what doesn't, adapt to changes when they come. Raise your prices if you consistently sell out of a particular design. Do anything and everything you need to do to nurture your innate creativity and keep it strong and fruitful. Indulge in experimentation from time to time, and build on your skills. You learn more from failure than you do from success. When your income from your art is enough to support your cost of living without another job, that's a good time to take the leap! When you get there you have to stay strong and determined and make sure you are not undervaluing your work. It takes a surprising amount of discipline, time management, and mental and emotional fortitude to maintain an independent art career. It's not for everyone, but if you have the talent and you want it and are willing to work for it, you can do it. It took me a long time to find my footing in my own niche and develop a body of work that sells well enough to support my expenses, and I've ended up pretty far from where I thought I was going back in high school when I had dreams of illustrating children's books. Your timeline and career path is your own - try not to compare yourself to others and remember that success looks different for everyone. That's a lot of advice!

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I mostly create one-offs. I'm not the sort of artist that likes to repeat themselves - I get very bored if I have to do that and when I'm bored the quality of my work suffers because my heart isn't in it, so I avoid rigid repetition as a rule. I will riff on a successful design to create similar works that I am confident about selling, but everything I make is one of a kind. I approach them as individual works, with individual personalities that come to life throughout the sculpting process. The details, features, and proportions are informed by the basic form of the piece. They come to life and develop their characteristics as I sculpt them. It almost feels like giving a body to a spirit in a way. This is my preferred method of working, where I feel the flow of creativity from within and from that unknown source that seems to be outside my conscious awareness. I've done a few series works in the past, and these are more planned. I have an overall idea for the series, and how the pieces relate to one another in progression, then the individual pieces of the series I create in much the same way as my other works, letting the details emerge through the creation process. I'm more of a character builder than a storyteller with my art. I have a deep love of story, but I've never had much of a talent for creating narratives myself. I think that's why I'm so good at evoking character in my work - because I have a great desire to consume narrative, anyone with a talent for storytelling could easily build one around any given piece of mine. I'd love to collaborate with writers in this way one day.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

My chosen medium is porcelain. It's timeless, ancient and modern at the same time. It's beautiful, tactile, a pristine canvas for painted detail and pliable sculpting medium with amazing potential for rendering ultrafine detail. It's just challenging enough to keep me on my toes with its finicky nature. It has the potential to outlive me by millennia, and can be used for functional and utilitarian works as well as purely decorative art. It's delicate but resilient and timeless. It's like the precious stone of clays. With porcelain as the base for all my works, I also use other materials to embellish and finish them including underglaze for colorful details, glaze to finish for functionality, and gold luster overglaze for that extra bit of luxury here and there on pieces that call for such an embellishment. There's also the delayed gratification aspect of ceramics. Each step in the process takes you a little bit closer to seeing the finished piece, with each step informing the next process - and even though I know my materials, the finished piece can still be a surprise.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is so many things. It's any form of expression that is beautiful to behold or meaningful to experience. I am not one to insist that every piece of art needs a fully fledged thesis regarding its meaning to be considered art - in fact I find that stance so restrictive and overly-intellectualized as to be anti-artistic. Certainly all those elaborately written theses lend additional depth of understanding to a piece, but it's not necessary with all artworks. It is often enough that a piece of art is simply beautiful, evokes an emotion, comes from a place of creative potential and is executed with evident talent. For me, the only true requisite function of art is to evoke.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Annette Janelle for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

Do you take a risk in your life? Do you push yourself towards new experiences? To be honest, every single one of us values comfort in life. It is in our nature to feel safe and to avoid stress.
That's why it is always a great pleasure and inspiration to encounter people who work differently. People that have strong grit to take things to the next level. To have an open heart and a different view on life. Annette Janelle atelier is a place where she explores her creativity. Always in her self-exploring world, she takes her art and gives it to the judgment of the world. Explores new designs, reinvents old ones, and creates an exciting experience. While always communicating with her loving audience. Taking the best from every critique, and learning while nurturing her creativity.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

I've lived in Arizona since I was a little kid, so I consider myself an Arizona native even though I wasn't born here. I grew up in Phoenix and currently live in Payson. My art journey has been a long and winding one. I started out with the basics every child has, but I knew I had a talent for it early on and never stopped creating. I recall selling some drawings of horses to classmates in grade school for 25 cents, so it's clear my ambition has been with me my entire life. In high school I focused mainly on drawing and illustration. I had the opportunity to take a ceramics class and loved it, but had no further access to the medium until community college where I took Ceramics 101, fell deeply in love with clay, and settled into my chosen medium from that point onward. It's still the only college-level ceramics class I've taken, so my progress since then is all self-taught. Prior to that fateful ceramics class I had hoped to become a watercolor illustrator, and I still use my illustrative skill and style often when decorating my work. I've been exclusively an independent ceramist for over a year now, since leaving my part-time marketing job last September, and I honestly can't imagine anything else being an appropriate career for me.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I don't think it's so much an emotion as a compulsion. I've always had this need to create, and that's what drives me. My hands hate being idle. I love to watch my creations come to life in my hands and exist in three dimensions. With ceramics, it's like the object has a life of its own, especially the characters I create, as if I'm a conduit guiding a spirit into stone. Emotion is evoked by the piece itself -- the most common comments I receive from my buyers are about how much joy they get from the presence of my art in their homes. In terms of creative process, I like to indulge my spontaneity. Of course it depends on the project I'm working on. Sometimes I do have a more established plan or vision of what the piece should look like in the end. I find that, more often than not, if I sit on an idea for too long, I won't actually start it because another idea will pop up and take over my attention. My best work is usually spontaneous in nature with a sort of shotgun approach (as much as that can be applied to ceramics) where I am inspired, and I start and complete at least the initial sculptural stage of the piece in a short span of time. 

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

Broadly, my most successful current work is focused on human identity and our relationship to nature and the universe. It references the ways in which we relate to the world around us and reach for meaning in the universe beyond. More specifically, my most popular current work was inspired by a pet peeve. I've reliably observed that in mainstream contemporary art it is so much more common to see female nudity than male nudity. People tend to be more shocked and offended by male nudity than female nudity, and that really, really bugs me a lot. Like, SO MUCH. I don't intend my work to be shocking or sexual, and I don't think it comes off like that, because it's just so darn pretty and humorous and pure, but it should raise questions about inequity among the sexes and disproportionate sexualization of females over males. It's the reason I started making nude figure pots and mugs, and giving equal time if not even a little extra time to the nude male figures to make up for the oversaturation of female nudity. My driving concepts and focuses have changed over time, but that's a decent description of my most current work. As artists, our work should evolve as we do, and I'm certain that my focus will shift sometime in the future as I continue to grow as an artist.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

The biggest one is financial security of course. Here in the United States, not having access to a truly affordable and comprehensive healthcare plan option is probably my biggest source of anxiety these days ($15K+ deductible with a $350+ premium is not affordable - looking at you Affordable Care Act). I started a Patreon page back in April of this year and that has been surprisingly successful. I'm fortunate to have an employed spouse to share living expenses with, but I still get a flurry of anxiety every month before I do a shop update, so I suppose managing anxiety is probably my biggest struggle. My income largely depends on how much work I'm able to finish and sell in a month, and ceramics is very time consuming and process intensive. It's difficult to balance my work, other responsibilities, and vital recreation and relaxation time. 
My advice for starting artists is to begin by dipping your toes in, and just keep pushing deeper a little at a time. Try different things, and pay attention to what works and what doesn't, adapt to changes when they come. Raise your prices if you consistently sell out of a particular design. Do anything and everything you need to do to nurture your innate creativity and keep it strong and fruitful. Indulge in experimentation from time to time, and build on your skills. You learn more from failure than you do from success. When your income from your art is enough to support your cost of living without another job, that's a good time to take the leap! When you get there you have to stay strong and determined and make sure you are not undervaluing your work. It takes a surprising amount of discipline, time management, and mental and emotional fortitude to maintain an independent art career. It's not for everyone, but if you have the talent and you want it and are willing to work for it, you can do it. It took me a long time to find my footing in my own niche and develop a body of work that sells well enough to support my expenses, and I've ended up pretty far from where I thought I was going back in high school when I had dreams of illustrating children's books. Your timeline and career path is your own - try not to compare yourself to others and remember that success looks different for everyone. That's a lot of advice!

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I mostly create one-offs. I'm not the sort of artist that likes to repeat themselves - I get very bored if I have to do that and when I'm bored the quality of my work suffers because my heart isn't in it, so I avoid rigid repetition as a rule. I will riff on a successful design to create similar works that I am confident about selling, but everything I make is one of a kind. I approach them as individual works, with individual personalities that come to life throughout the sculpting process. The details, features, and proportions are informed by the basic form of the piece. They come to life and develop their characteristics as I sculpt them. It almost feels like giving a body to a spirit in a way. This is my preferred method of working, where I feel the flow of creativity from within and from that unknown source that seems to be outside my conscious awareness. I've done a few series works in the past, and these are more planned. I have an overall idea for the series, and how the pieces relate to one another in progression, then the individual pieces of the series I create in much the same way as my other works, letting the details emerge through the creation process. I'm more of a character builder than a storyteller with my art. I have a deep love of story, but I've never had much of a talent for creating narratives myself. I think that's why I'm so good at evoking character in my work - because I have a great desire to consume narrative, anyone with a talent for storytelling could easily build one around any given piece of mine. I'd love to collaborate with writers in this way one day.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

My chosen medium is porcelain. It's timeless, ancient and modern at the same time. It's beautiful, tactile, a pristine canvas for painted detail and pliable sculpting medium with amazing potential for rendering ultrafine detail. It's just challenging enough to keep me on my toes with its finicky nature. It has the potential to outlive me by millennia, and can be used for functional and utilitarian works as well as purely decorative art. It's delicate but resilient and timeless. It's like the precious stone of clays. With porcelain as the base for all my works, I also use other materials to embellish and finish them including underglaze for colorful details, glaze to finish for functionality, and gold luster overglaze for that extra bit of luxury here and there on pieces that call for such an embellishment. There's also the delayed gratification aspect of ceramics. Each step in the process takes you a little bit closer to seeing the finished piece, with each step informing the next process - and even though I know my materials, the finished piece can still be a surprise.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is so many things. It's any form of expression that is beautiful to behold or meaningful to experience. I am not one to insist that every piece of art needs a fully fledged thesis regarding its meaning to be considered art - in fact I find that stance so restrictive and overly-intellectualized as to be anti-artistic. Certainly all those elaborately written theses lend additional depth of understanding to a piece, but it's not necessary with all artworks. It is often enough that a piece of art is simply beautiful, evokes an emotion, comes from a place of creative potential and is executed with evident talent. For me, the only true requisite function of art is to evoke.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Annette Janelle for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

The charm of simplicity. We would like to have it in every aspect of life. From our aspirations to our passions. All the way to small guilty pleasures and instant gratifications. I cannot help myself and wonder... How much happier my life would be without overthinking, overcomplicating, and oversharing moments. If I would tone down a bit, life would feel easier.
That exact thought lead me to connect with a cute brand Selsius. Where everything is simple but in fact unique. Where multiply details don't seem too much. The refined taste is what makes them thrilling and seductive.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

We are from Turkey. A couple, wife and husband who had been into mud and object design for about near 10 years. Rolled out our own atelier 2 years ago currently producing handmade porcelain cups and glad to see they are used worldwide , loved by everyone.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

Its an unstoppable moment, when something pops in your mind and you directly want to show it on your piece. We can say never we bake instead we count days to see the result.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

We have a base story behind all our products, to show the elegancy in a energic and warm color palettes. Always say when you hold a selsius cup, you should say "that's more than a cup".

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

We appreciate the love from our followers and customers. They keep and say its not enough which keeps us motivated. But at the same time it's putting a big pressure on us to deliver on time and keep the perfection on the same level.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

We prefer single pieces, as all our products have their own story, own experience, just like every human being's story.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Selsius Company for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

The charm of simplicity. We would like to have it in every aspect of life. From our aspirations to our passions. All the way to small guilty pleasures and instant gratifications. I cannot help myself and wonder... How much happier my life would be without overthinking, overcomplicating, and oversharing moments. If I would tone down a bit, life would feel easier.
That exact thought lead me to connect with a cute brand Selsius. Where everything is simple but in fact unique. Where multiply details don't seem too much. The refined taste is what makes them thrilling and seductive.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

We are from Turkey. A couple, wife and husband who had been into mud and object design for about near 10 years. Rolled out our own atelier 2 years ago currently producing handmade porcelain cups and glad to see they are used worldwide , loved by everyone.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

Its an unstoppable moment, when something pops in your mind and you directly want to show it on your piece. We can say never we bake instead we count days to see the result.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

We have a base story behind all our products, to show the elegancy in a energic and warm color palettes. Always say when you hold a selsius cup, you should say "that's more than a cup".

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

We appreciate the love from our followers and customers. They keep and say its not enough which keeps us motivated. But at the same time it's putting a big pressure on us to deliver on time and keep the perfection on the same level.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

We prefer single pieces, as all our products have their own story, own experience, just like every human being's story.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Selsius Company for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

The world is explicit. It makes explicit turns. And it seems to us the more emotionless those turns appear - the more they imprint in our subconscious. That leaves us with all kinds of scars unhidden and those hidden. Honestly, I am always more worried about hidden ones. Not to go deep into the dark - those hidden scars are often the reason why some environments, people, and items attract us more than others. Why "trauma bonding" is one of the wheels of the car called life.

But today I want to connect in the same, deep, subconscious level with one bright direction. One pottery brand that is made to brighten our day! Elizabeth Di Prinzio is the woman that stands behind the amazing brand Earth + Element Ceramics. Her work blends with natural laws, and it is created out of passion and beauty.

Enjoy reading her wise thoughts!

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you? 

I was born in San Jose, California, just a little south of San Francisco. My journey into art begin as a child. My grandmother was a painter and to keep us busy she sat us down with a blank canvas, a few colors and some paint brushes. She did not own a TV so our time was filled with arts and crafts.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time? 

I do a little of both. My creations come out of a place of wants and needs and I'll start the process, let is sit for six months and then revisit it once a new inspiration hits. Sometimes my piece will sit all year, or in some cases I never return back to it. I have to really love something in order to continue on.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people? 

I design from two places, as an artist and as an artist with a business. Making your vision come to life takes more than just me. I have to make sure I design what I feel is beautiful and what I believe my customers will also feel as beautiful. Asking myself "Is this functional AND beautiful?" the balance is a tipping scale to make sure you hit the mark with.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists? 

If you're going to start selling your art my advice is to change the way you view failures and struggles. It's never the end of the world when something goes wrong, it may feel that way, but really it's just a lesson that will help you grow and become a better business owner, maker, or artist. If you're not failing, you're not learning. I love a challenge and most people who start a businesses feel the same way.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case? 

Single piece storytelling for me is a way to convey a message, emotion or design in short. Since we mainly craft functionable tableware I prefer creating an entire collection that work together and last a lifetime. We want our customers to keep these pieces forever so while staying away from anything to niche or trendy is important, we also leave room for freedom of fun and playfulness.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece? 

There's a beautiful connection with taking earth materials and using the elements of water and fire to create art that will live beyond your own life span is one of the most special parts of working with clay. Since I am a nature lover it fits me well and feels good to create from the earth and for these pieces to perhaps one day go back into the earth.

What does ART, in general, mean to you? 

Art is a creation that first starts in your mind and vision, and with materials you're translating thoughts into actual forms. Art is a feeling of joy or sadness that you can express outside the body.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Elizabeth Di Prinzio for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

The world is explicit. It makes explicit turns. And it seems to us the more emotionless those turns appear - the more they imprint in our subconscious. That leaves us with all kinds of scars unhidden and those hidden. Honestly, I am always more worried about hidden ones. Not to go deep into the dark - those hidden scars are often the reason why some environments, people, and items attract us more than others. Why "trauma bonding" is one of the wheels of the car called life.

But today I want to connect in the same, deep, subconscious level with one bright direction. One pottery brand that is made to brighten our day! Elizabeth Di Prinzio is the woman that stands behind the amazing brand Earth + Element Ceramics. Her work blends with natural laws, and it is created out of passion and beauty.

Enjoy reading her wise thoughts!

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you? 

I was born in San Jose, California, just a little south of San Francisco. My journey into art begin as a child. My grandmother was a painter and to keep us busy she sat us down with a blank canvas, a few colors and some paint brushes. She did not own a TV so our time was filled with arts and crafts.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time? 

I do a little of both. My creations come out of a place of wants and needs and I'll start the process, let is sit for six months and then revisit it once a new inspiration hits. Sometimes my piece will sit all year, or in some cases I never return back to it. I have to really love something in order to continue on.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people? 

I design from two places, as an artist and as an artist with a business. Making your vision come to life takes more than just me. I have to make sure I design what I feel is beautiful and what I believe my customers will also feel as beautiful. Asking myself "Is this functional AND beautiful?" the balance is a tipping scale to make sure you hit the mark with.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists? 

If you're going to start selling your art my advice is to change the way you view failures and struggles. It's never the end of the world when something goes wrong, it may feel that way, but really it's just a lesson that will help you grow and become a better business owner, maker, or artist. If you're not failing, you're not learning. I love a challenge and most people who start a businesses feel the same way.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case? 

Single piece storytelling for me is a way to convey a message, emotion or design in short. Since we mainly craft functionable tableware I prefer creating an entire collection that work together and last a lifetime. We want our customers to keep these pieces forever so while staying away from anything to niche or trendy is important, we also leave room for freedom of fun and playfulness.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece? 

There's a beautiful connection with taking earth materials and using the elements of water and fire to create art that will live beyond your own life span is one of the most special parts of working with clay. Since I am a nature lover it fits me well and feels good to create from the earth and for these pieces to perhaps one day go back into the earth.

What does ART, in general, mean to you? 

Art is a creation that first starts in your mind and vision, and with materials you're translating thoughts into actual forms. Art is a feeling of joy or sadness that you can express outside the body.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Elizabeth Di Prinzio for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

In our search for inspiration we are often intrigued by unusual designs, strange shapes, exciting colors... We search for a seed which will be planted into our imagination and grow up to be a whole new project. This time our search had a small twist!
Travis Sudweeks creates pottery for the last thirty years. During that period he developed an astonishing level of perfection while creating his pieces. His smooth, minimalistic designs carry a dose of luxury that came from a years invested in his craft.
His style is definition of what he loves to see and the things he would love to use. And trough the years it has been a proven good practice.
A lesson we all should follow. A seed of wisdom to be nurtured.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you? 

I’m currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s gorgeous in nature here. 

The journey began 30 years ago as a 14 year old freshman at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. I was taught by master potter Andrew Watson. I knew I loved it from the beginning, and took every class I could. I would stay after school for hours making terrible pots, but always learning and not caring how good things were. It was fun. It still is fun. I learned from Andrew  for many years after high school, and I still do learn from him. We chat on the phone and I learn from his goodness at being a human who works with clay. At one point, I lived in his huge farm house studio, it was anything but glamorous and was filled to bursting with not only pottery, but old cars, musical instruments, farm equipment, horse gear, couches, and a thousand other items that could have been seen as gross or interesting, depending on the person. 

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

Excitement I believe is my first emotion when I figure out a new design I want to make, or a glaze technique that works out. Usually I can’t wait to make more of the idea. When I first started on my path to becoming a full time potter I would dream of pieces, and I just had to go and make them. I would see them all the time in odd places, at odd moments, until I made them and then the drive would go away. I’ve also found inspiration when I swim laps, sometimes a shape will just pop in my mind when I swim. Very odd. It doesn’t happen as much to me anymore, it makes me kind of sad that it doesn’t. Maybe i make to much pottery now. But either way, it’s still a lot of fun and very gratifying to make useful pieces that people will use and hopefully love for a long time. 

 

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

My design aesthetic took a very long time to figure out, it still meanders, I feel like there are more roads to travel down with my design until I really feel like my glazes are 100 percent me. But I feel like my designs are me. I used to travel a lot, from those travels I was changed by the beauty of old and new architecture, and I found I absolutely love gaudy European architecture, the skill and art work, time and patience, and love that went in to those buildings, oh the stories they could tell. I love how these traditions continue on with the artisans of today restoring the old and keeping them alive. It truly blows my mind. But with pottery, I’ve found that I love simplicity, and I find that my favorite pieces to use, to touch, and to look at are the simple ones. Luckily, I find that many people and customers resonate with what I like to make, which allows me to keep creating and expanding my ideas and supporting my small family with pottery. 

 

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

This could be a book. I’m sure someone has written it. But I will try to tell you how much heart ache and pain and love goes in to all my pieces. Insecurities of making and design pop up every day. For instance, why don’t I sell out on my Virtual Studio Sales? How can I make more pottery? How can my designs be better so enough people will buy them to make this all easier? When can I finally buy a damn Ferrari? Just kidding, I only want a Vespa. Money can be an issue, summer is my slow time and I’m trying to figure out how to get over this hurdle. Having enough capital on hand to purchase materials, tools, etc, is crucial and is so important. When I first started on this full time venture I had to figure out how I could throw enough pottery to get as good as I could, as fast as I could all while working a full time job. Now I don’t have enough time in the day to make enough pottery. It’s always something. Right? As of January I now take Sunday’s off. This is the first time in 5 years that I’ve taken a day of the week off. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, well I would have it a little easier to make money, a little more time off, that imaginary house in the Swiss Alps is calling my name, just kidding, it’s in Portugal. 

 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I like both. Single pieces can stand out and really tell a story, for me this is especially true with large vases. These pieces show so much craftsmanship, and can really be a statement to who the artisan is. But I also have fallen in love with the look of a hundred mugs waiting to be trimmed, all pretty much identical. There is beauty in repetition. 

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I use clay, I love clay, it connects me with the earth, it connects me with the people that use or own my pottery, it connects me to the other potters in the world that love to make pottery as well. Clay is every changing, it is an impossible process that we humans, ever the smug ones, think we can master, but we can never master clay, not even the masters.  

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art makes you feel. It is an experience. Art has the power to take you away from your problems and sweep into a world of it’s own making. For that brief moment we become part of that art.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Travis Sudweeks for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

In our search for inspiration we are often intrigued by unusual designs, strange shapes, exciting colors... We search for a seed which will be planted into our imagination and grow up to be a whole new project. This time our search had a small twist!
Travis Sudweeks creates pottery for the last thirty years. During that period he developed an astonishing level of perfection while creating his pieces. His smooth, minimalistic designs carry a dose of luxury that came from a years invested in his craft.
His style is definition of what he loves to see and the things he would love to use. And trough the years it has been a proven good practice.
A lesson we all should follow. A seed of wisdom to be nurtured.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you? 

I’m currently based in Salt Lake City, Utah. It’s gorgeous in nature here. 

The journey began 30 years ago as a 14 year old freshman at Timpview High School in Provo, Utah. I was taught by master potter Andrew Watson. I knew I loved it from the beginning, and took every class I could. I would stay after school for hours making terrible pots, but always learning and not caring how good things were. It was fun. It still is fun. I learned from Andrew  for many years after high school, and I still do learn from him. We chat on the phone and I learn from his goodness at being a human who works with clay. At one point, I lived in his huge farm house studio, it was anything but glamorous and was filled to bursting with not only pottery, but old cars, musical instruments, farm equipment, horse gear, couches, and a thousand other items that could have been seen as gross or interesting, depending on the person. 

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

Excitement I believe is my first emotion when I figure out a new design I want to make, or a glaze technique that works out. Usually I can’t wait to make more of the idea. When I first started on my path to becoming a full time potter I would dream of pieces, and I just had to go and make them. I would see them all the time in odd places, at odd moments, until I made them and then the drive would go away. I’ve also found inspiration when I swim laps, sometimes a shape will just pop in my mind when I swim. Very odd. It doesn’t happen as much to me anymore, it makes me kind of sad that it doesn’t. Maybe i make to much pottery now. But either way, it’s still a lot of fun and very gratifying to make useful pieces that people will use and hopefully love for a long time. 

 

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

My design aesthetic took a very long time to figure out, it still meanders, I feel like there are more roads to travel down with my design until I really feel like my glazes are 100 percent me. But I feel like my designs are me. I used to travel a lot, from those travels I was changed by the beauty of old and new architecture, and I found I absolutely love gaudy European architecture, the skill and art work, time and patience, and love that went in to those buildings, oh the stories they could tell. I love how these traditions continue on with the artisans of today restoring the old and keeping them alive. It truly blows my mind. But with pottery, I’ve found that I love simplicity, and I find that my favorite pieces to use, to touch, and to look at are the simple ones. Luckily, I find that many people and customers resonate with what I like to make, which allows me to keep creating and expanding my ideas and supporting my small family with pottery. 

 

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

This could be a book. I’m sure someone has written it. But I will try to tell you how much heart ache and pain and love goes in to all my pieces. Insecurities of making and design pop up every day. For instance, why don’t I sell out on my Virtual Studio Sales? How can I make more pottery? How can my designs be better so enough people will buy them to make this all easier? When can I finally buy a damn Ferrari? Just kidding, I only want a Vespa. Money can be an issue, summer is my slow time and I’m trying to figure out how to get over this hurdle. Having enough capital on hand to purchase materials, tools, etc, is crucial and is so important. When I first started on this full time venture I had to figure out how I could throw enough pottery to get as good as I could, as fast as I could all while working a full time job. Now I don’t have enough time in the day to make enough pottery. It’s always something. Right? As of January I now take Sunday’s off. This is the first time in 5 years that I’ve taken a day of the week off. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, well I would have it a little easier to make money, a little more time off, that imaginary house in the Swiss Alps is calling my name, just kidding, it’s in Portugal. 

 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I like both. Single pieces can stand out and really tell a story, for me this is especially true with large vases. These pieces show so much craftsmanship, and can really be a statement to who the artisan is. But I also have fallen in love with the look of a hundred mugs waiting to be trimmed, all pretty much identical. There is beauty in repetition. 

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I use clay, I love clay, it connects me with the earth, it connects me with the people that use or own my pottery, it connects me to the other potters in the world that love to make pottery as well. Clay is every changing, it is an impossible process that we humans, ever the smug ones, think we can master, but we can never master clay, not even the masters.  

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art makes you feel. It is an experience. Art has the power to take you away from your problems and sweep into a world of it’s own making. For that brief moment we become part of that art.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Travis Sudweeks for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

Our blog is the place where we talk about art. About emotions and energy which create the world around us. It is a place where we learn and get new information. Today we have a great pleasure to present to you one very inspiring lady. The lady who asks the questions looks for an answer and contributes to the positive change in the best way she can. Meghan Yarnell created a pottery brand for which she finds inspiration in one of the most severe problems of her community. Her art pieces educate you most profoundly. With her subtle approach, she leaves a deep mark and makes you think more. What are our priorities in life, where are we heading to?

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you? 

I am from Toledo, Ohio. Some of my best childhood memories are from the many hours that I spent exploring the woods, field, and pond behind the house I grew up in. These hours were magical and helped begin and fuel my fascination with the natural world. I was very lucky to grow up in a family that valued the arts and always supported my desire to create. 

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I read constantly. Usually, I read something that triggers an idea. I live in a suburb and well manicured, green lawns are the standard. I read that grass is the largest cultivated crop in the United States (and it is essentially worthless). Clovers are nitrogen fixers, they naturally add nitrogen to the soil. Dandelions have long taproots that bring nutrients up to the surface of the soil. Both of these flowers provide food for bees, yet are undesirable in lawns. Herbicides destroy clovers and dandelions and add synthetic nitrogen to the soil, which can run into rivers and lakes. I live near Lake Erie. A few years ago, we had a toxic algae bloom (synthetic fertilizers contribute to this) and we could not drink, or even touch our faucet water for 3 days (and after that it was being treated with so many chemicals that many didn't want to drink it). I began decorating some of my pots with clovers and dandelions in response to this. There are blades of grass mixed in with the flowers, but they are purposefully pale outlines. 
When I first have an idea for a new design, I usually start by gathering information and taking notes in my sketchbook. I search for images and inspiration online, then do some preliminary sketches before testing the design on one of my pots. All of my designs are constantly changing and evolving as I am never content and am constantly reevaluating and changing things! 

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

I hope to subtly convey the contrast and collision between humans and the natural world by combining images of nature with patterns created with modern symbols like the dollar sign, nuclear symbol, and wifi symbol. I create functional pottery because I love the idea that art can be both beautiful and useful. I like to think that my work is subtlety infused with enough meaning to inspire thought while it is being used.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

I have been teaching art in a public school for the past 16 years, so pottery is not my main source of income. I mainly create pottery because I enjoy it and I find a lot of my identity in being an artist. My advice for starting artists is to define your goals and work towards them. There are so many paths to pursue with art and it's easy to become distracted or overwhelmed. 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I prefer single pieces. My pottery is functional and designed for everyday use. I would be honored if one of my cups was someone's go-to everyday coffee mug.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I love the idea of functional art, something that was created with care by a person and also designed to be used with care by a person. I fell in love with porcelain the minute I saw it being used in college and have used it ever since. My first loves were painting and drawing, so my work contains as many surface design techniques that I can fit on it! 

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is a process, a way of life, and a way of seeing the world. 
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Meghan Yarnell for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

Our blog is the place where we talk about art. About emotions and energy which create the world around us. It is a place where we learn and get new information. Today we have a great pleasure to present to you one very inspiring lady. The lady who asks the questions looks for an answer and contributes to the positive change in the best way she can. Meghan Yarnell created a pottery brand for which she finds inspiration in one of the most severe problems of her community. Her art pieces educate you most profoundly. With her subtle approach, she leaves a deep mark and makes you think more. What are our priorities in life, where are we heading to?

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you? 

I am from Toledo, Ohio. Some of my best childhood memories are from the many hours that I spent exploring the woods, field, and pond behind the house I grew up in. These hours were magical and helped begin and fuel my fascination with the natural world. I was very lucky to grow up in a family that valued the arts and always supported my desire to create. 

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I read constantly. Usually, I read something that triggers an idea. I live in a suburb and well manicured, green lawns are the standard. I read that grass is the largest cultivated crop in the United States (and it is essentially worthless). Clovers are nitrogen fixers, they naturally add nitrogen to the soil. Dandelions have long taproots that bring nutrients up to the surface of the soil. Both of these flowers provide food for bees, yet are undesirable in lawns. Herbicides destroy clovers and dandelions and add synthetic nitrogen to the soil, which can run into rivers and lakes. I live near Lake Erie. A few years ago, we had a toxic algae bloom (synthetic fertilizers contribute to this) and we could not drink, or even touch our faucet water for 3 days (and after that it was being treated with so many chemicals that many didn't want to drink it). I began decorating some of my pots with clovers and dandelions in response to this. There are blades of grass mixed in with the flowers, but they are purposefully pale outlines. 
When I first have an idea for a new design, I usually start by gathering information and taking notes in my sketchbook. I search for images and inspiration online, then do some preliminary sketches before testing the design on one of my pots. All of my designs are constantly changing and evolving as I am never content and am constantly reevaluating and changing things! 

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

I hope to subtly convey the contrast and collision between humans and the natural world by combining images of nature with patterns created with modern symbols like the dollar sign, nuclear symbol, and wifi symbol. I create functional pottery because I love the idea that art can be both beautiful and useful. I like to think that my work is subtlety infused with enough meaning to inspire thought while it is being used.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

I have been teaching art in a public school for the past 16 years, so pottery is not my main source of income. I mainly create pottery because I enjoy it and I find a lot of my identity in being an artist. My advice for starting artists is to define your goals and work towards them. There are so many paths to pursue with art and it's easy to become distracted or overwhelmed. 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I prefer single pieces. My pottery is functional and designed for everyday use. I would be honored if one of my cups was someone's go-to everyday coffee mug.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I love the idea of functional art, something that was created with care by a person and also designed to be used with care by a person. I fell in love with porcelain the minute I saw it being used in college and have used it ever since. My first loves were painting and drawing, so my work contains as many surface design techniques that I can fit on it! 

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is a process, a way of life, and a way of seeing the world. 
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Meghan Yarnell for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

A mind of a child is one exciting place. It works fast, soaks up the information that gets, and with that exciting imagination of a child, it creates beautiful stories. The ones who nurture that inner child when they are older are the ones who win in adult life. It gives them a world without limits and a fruitful stream of creativity.
When we first encountered Casey Taylor Ceramics we could feel the inner child in her work. Tangled with great skills she developed during her carrier, it brought to us beautiful pieces of art that seem to keep on giving to their owners. That feeling of joy and excitement that we felt led us to the open and vulnerable interview with her. Take a moment for yourself and enjoy her art while reading it.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

I’m from Rhinebeck NY, and am currently living and working across the river in Kingston. My art journey really started when I was very small- from the first time I picked up a crayon. My mom was pretty creative, and my dad was a mechanical engineer, and they both liked drawing but had very different styles. I’m not neuro-typical so drawing really became the way I stayed connected with the world around me, I would get in trouble so often in elementary school for doodling because my teachers thought I was zoning out- but it was the drawing that actually helped me stay tuned in. From high school on, I expanded my creative endeavors to sewing and sculpture, and eventually ceramics when I was in my third year in college. That changed everything.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I don’t know if I could say it’s an emotion that drives me to make work- it’s more of a desire to see something in my head take up physical space, and sometimes it’s just a need to be doing something with my hands. If it’s something that’s in my head already, I tend to bake that inspiration for a bit before actually making it. I’m not sure if that’s to make sure I don’t change my mind or what- part of me thinks it’s a bit of a lack of confidence in confronting my inner critic, who I call Stacey. She thinks that everything I make has to have an ‘educated’ approach and represent some big, vast idea- I’m getting a bit better at telling her that not all art has to do that.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

Oh man, this is a tough one. I have so many designs in my functional work- I think it’s safe to say that the back story is simply wanting to make different things and always be exploring and having fun. I tend to see the world in a very positive light, I’ve had a lot of loss in my life and while it really weighs on me, it also makes all the wonderful things out there a little more wonderful. A lot of inspiration comes from 90’s cartoons and retro fast food kids meals and packaging; some of my favorite things from my childhood. 

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

My advice is definitely get all the paperwork and boring yet official business things done first, even before you think you need to! I waited to do any of that because I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to support myself as an artist full time. But fact is, if you love it enough and don’t mind putting hours and hours of work in, you can absolutely do it!

I think my main struggle with working as a full time artist is self discipline. I’m definitely getting better at it- but I have my studio in my house where I also have 40 other projects going and two cats that love to cuddle and play, so those things can be a little distracting! I’ve found it helps to make a daily routine around being in the studio, like relaxing a bit with breakfast and then getting tuned into a podcast or an album that gets you in the mindset to start making. 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I actually really like both in different contexts. Most of my work right now is functional ceramics like mugs and things, where I will make multiples of each object, but they are all single object stories to tell. When it comes to my sculptural work though, I really like working my way through understanding a concept by making numerous pieces related to it. I don’t know if that’s storytelling exactly, but there is a narrative quality.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

My main material right now is clay. There is so much I could say about it! Every time we did any kind of ceramics in high school, I was so fascinated and excited by the process. When I took a class in college and could experiment to my heart’s content, a light came on. Before that, I was creating something on an already established surface- but with ceramics, you create the canvas and what goes on it.

Clay is this really humble material that connects all humans- it’s discovery allowed us to start the very first civilizations by making it possible to store food, and eventually discover beer; and it was just hanging around near riverbeds minding its own business ! Having this connection that’s so ancient and rooted in community really makes clay almost human itself- seeing fingerprints on ancient vessels and feeling the marks of someone else when you drink out of a mug they made, there’s part of the maker in these objects. It really makes you feel a deep connectivity, and that’s my favorite part about it.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

I’ve been trying to decontextualize art as it exists for me vs how it’s defined by institutions; basically a reconditioning post-college trying to unlearn how serious I became and to have more fun. I’m still working on that, so I don’t have a solid answer- but in getting closer, I’ve figured out that I need to love what I’m making to call it art. It has to be for me, even if I’m selling it. It doesn’t have to have a big story behind it, or be making a big statement on society; it just needs to give me that ‘feeling’ when I look at it.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Casey Taylor for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

A mind of a child is one exciting place. It works fast, soaks up the information that gets, and with that exciting imagination of a child, it creates beautiful stories. The ones who nurture that inner child when they are older are the ones who win in adult life. It gives them a world without limits and a fruitful stream of creativity.
When we first encountered Casey Taylor Ceramics we could feel the inner child in her work. Tangled with great skills she developed during her carrier, it brought to us beautiful pieces of art that seem to keep on giving to their owners. That feeling of joy and excitement that we felt led us to the open and vulnerable interview with her. Take a moment for yourself and enjoy her art while reading it.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

I’m from Rhinebeck NY, and am currently living and working across the river in Kingston. My art journey really started when I was very small- from the first time I picked up a crayon. My mom was pretty creative, and my dad was a mechanical engineer, and they both liked drawing but had very different styles. I’m not neuro-typical so drawing really became the way I stayed connected with the world around me, I would get in trouble so often in elementary school for doodling because my teachers thought I was zoning out- but it was the drawing that actually helped me stay tuned in. From high school on, I expanded my creative endeavors to sewing and sculpture, and eventually ceramics when I was in my third year in college. That changed everything.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I don’t know if I could say it’s an emotion that drives me to make work- it’s more of a desire to see something in my head take up physical space, and sometimes it’s just a need to be doing something with my hands. If it’s something that’s in my head already, I tend to bake that inspiration for a bit before actually making it. I’m not sure if that’s to make sure I don’t change my mind or what- part of me thinks it’s a bit of a lack of confidence in confronting my inner critic, who I call Stacey. She thinks that everything I make has to have an ‘educated’ approach and represent some big, vast idea- I’m getting a bit better at telling her that not all art has to do that.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

Oh man, this is a tough one. I have so many designs in my functional work- I think it’s safe to say that the back story is simply wanting to make different things and always be exploring and having fun. I tend to see the world in a very positive light, I’ve had a lot of loss in my life and while it really weighs on me, it also makes all the wonderful things out there a little more wonderful. A lot of inspiration comes from 90’s cartoons and retro fast food kids meals and packaging; some of my favorite things from my childhood. 

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

My advice is definitely get all the paperwork and boring yet official business things done first, even before you think you need to! I waited to do any of that because I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to support myself as an artist full time. But fact is, if you love it enough and don’t mind putting hours and hours of work in, you can absolutely do it!

I think my main struggle with working as a full time artist is self discipline. I’m definitely getting better at it- but I have my studio in my house where I also have 40 other projects going and two cats that love to cuddle and play, so those things can be a little distracting! I’ve found it helps to make a daily routine around being in the studio, like relaxing a bit with breakfast and then getting tuned into a podcast or an album that gets you in the mindset to start making. 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I actually really like both in different contexts. Most of my work right now is functional ceramics like mugs and things, where I will make multiples of each object, but they are all single object stories to tell. When it comes to my sculptural work though, I really like working my way through understanding a concept by making numerous pieces related to it. I don’t know if that’s storytelling exactly, but there is a narrative quality.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

My main material right now is clay. There is so much I could say about it! Every time we did any kind of ceramics in high school, I was so fascinated and excited by the process. When I took a class in college and could experiment to my heart’s content, a light came on. Before that, I was creating something on an already established surface- but with ceramics, you create the canvas and what goes on it.

Clay is this really humble material that connects all humans- it’s discovery allowed us to start the very first civilizations by making it possible to store food, and eventually discover beer; and it was just hanging around near riverbeds minding its own business ! Having this connection that’s so ancient and rooted in community really makes clay almost human itself- seeing fingerprints on ancient vessels and feeling the marks of someone else when you drink out of a mug they made, there’s part of the maker in these objects. It really makes you feel a deep connectivity, and that’s my favorite part about it.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

I’ve been trying to decontextualize art as it exists for me vs how it’s defined by institutions; basically a reconditioning post-college trying to unlearn how serious I became and to have more fun. I’m still working on that, so I don’t have a solid answer- but in getting closer, I’ve figured out that I need to love what I’m making to call it art. It has to be for me, even if I’m selling it. It doesn’t have to have a big story behind it, or be making a big statement on society; it just needs to give me that ‘feeling’ when I look at it.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Casey Taylor for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

What is destiny? Is it an already written path you are ready to follow or a journey dependent on your choices?
There are many pros and cons for both directions but, it is always fascinating to hear that a childhood dream came true. Simona Candini started her artistic journey as a child. Her first desires were to create, to paint, to develop an art skill. During her life, as many of us can relate, those dreams were stopped by what we call a reality of adult life. Fortunately for us and for her many fans around the world, she found her inner spark and made a fire. A fire of creativity, craft, and beauty.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

Hi! I’m from Bologna, Italy. My art journey starts when I was a child. I loved to create comics and illustrations with funny characters like cute animals or inanimate objects. I was using old daily planners to create my “comic books”. I still have all of these at my parent’s home! I was also creating manga style romantic stories. Then I grew up and went to the scientific high school. I had to study a lot and I couldn’t draw as much as I wanted. After the high-school I didn’t want to go to the university and so I started to work as a secretary.

But my passion for art was still burning inside me and after a couple of years I decided to continue my study and this time I chose the Academy of Fine art University in Bologna. I had to pass a test to enter because I didn’t previously go to the art high-school and the classes were tough because they assumed that you already had an art formation. It was a great experience, but I always consider myself a self-taught artist, because most things that I know about painting I had to learn by myself by trial and errors. I was working in the evenings, attending classes in the mornings and studying during the rest of the day. I ended up graduating with honors and it was a great satisfaction.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I have constantly new ideas that I would like to paint right away, but most of the time I can't because usually gallery shows have precise themes. Also when you work on commissions you have to follow the idea and themes chosen by your collectors, which it's something that I actually love because my collectors are very much in tune with me! I like to hear their stories, their ideas and connect with them. So I have a “magic” notebook that I keep filling with my thoughts and, anytime I have a chance, I make a painting based on the ideas that I wrote down. It happened to have something written there for a few years before I was ready to paint it! I feel a urge to create, I can't stay too long without painting, I feel terribly guilty for some reasons. It feels good to paint, being in the now while listening to music or to an audio-book. I helps me to concentrate and focus on what I'm doing.

On the contrary I have to be in complete silence when I'm sketching out my ideas or I would get distracted. Art helps me to go through the difficulties of life and so sometime what drives me to paint is the attachment and love for life, the need to go ahead day by day. When I sketch an idea, usually I stay with the first layout, so I don't really make many version of the same painting before starting.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

Well, I paint mostly for myself , I mean it is my own need to paint and I paint what I like, what I would love to hang on my walls. I paint what I feel, my dreams, my favorite fairy tales, I paint something inspired by music that I love, books or even movies. I don't know what other people will see, I think that everybody is free to interpret my artworks. I love when people reach out and let me know that my art brightened their day, or that helped them going through a tough period, when they tell me that they can relate with the characters of my artworks. Sometime It happens that I write a little explanation about what drove me to paint a certain subject, but we are all different and with our own baggage of experiences and life, so it's wonderful to know how wide is the range of emotions that an artwork can stir in the heart of somebody depending on infinite variables.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

Personally my main struggle is being productive as I would like to be when it happens that I'm physically sick or maybe I'm in a tough period and emotionally not in the right place. In these cases it's hard because I would like to do so many things but I don't have the energy and I have to

Accept that the only thing I can do is to take good care of myself and give me some time without forcing me too much. When there is a close deadline though, you don't really have the chance to take some time off, an so you have to really gather all your energy and go ahead even if you don't feel at your best. This really teaches you a lots of discipline. In the common imagination the artist is somebody who only paint when is very inspired, maybe at night and have a life with little or no rules. But in real life most of the time is not like so! We actually need to set our own rules in order to accomplish our goals and being too free sometimes can be a disadvantage if you don't know how to handle such freedom. So my advice to a starting artist would be is learn discipline, create good habits, be consistent, have grit (which is even more important than natural talent!) and go ahead in following your call, no matter what other people says.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

Actually I like both creating single pieces and series, but probably I mostly work on single pieces because I like the variety of characters and moods. When I work on a series, for example illustrations inspired by a fairy tale, I pick the parts of the story that means the most for me and that would translate good into a scenery possibly filled with little details. I like to take different moments and character from the same story and freeze them into a composition a little bit like in a movie poster. 

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I've been using different media through the years, but the one that I connect the most with is oil on canvas. Oils are slow drying and I like the possibility of going over, blend some more, taking my time to work the colors in, the shades, the tones. I don't fit well with fast techniques. I do use watercolors too sometimes, but I “invented” my own technique that doesn't really require being fast. I love to create transparent glazing of colors over a monochrome under-painting. That's my favorite technique with oils and I do my best to keep learning about it. 

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is my call in this world and to me means purpose, the right path when I'm lost, connection when I feel alone, hope when the world around me seems collapsing and it's therapeutic when I feel blue. Art for me is also my way to express joy, love, beauty, diversity, enthusiasm for the little things and sometimes away to watch the world through the eyes of my inner child. I think that art is an elixir and a cure for the hearts.

 

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Simona Candini for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

What is destiny? Is it an already written path you are ready to follow or a journey dependent on your choices?
There are many pros and cons for both directions but, it is always fascinating to hear that a childhood dream came true. Simona Candini started her artistic journey as a child. Her first desires were to create, to paint, to develop an art skill. During her life, as many of us can relate, those dreams were stopped by what we call a reality of adult life. Fortunately for us and for her many fans around the world, she found her inner spark and made a fire. A fire of creativity, craft, and beauty.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

Hi! I’m from Bologna, Italy. My art journey starts when I was a child. I loved to create comics and illustrations with funny characters like cute animals or inanimate objects. I was using old daily planners to create my “comic books”. I still have all of these at my parent’s home! I was also creating manga style romantic stories. Then I grew up and went to the scientific high school. I had to study a lot and I couldn’t draw as much as I wanted. After the high-school I didn’t want to go to the university and so I started to work as a secretary.

But my passion for art was still burning inside me and after a couple of years I decided to continue my study and this time I chose the Academy of Fine art University in Bologna. I had to pass a test to enter because I didn’t previously go to the art high-school and the classes were tough because they assumed that you already had an art formation. It was a great experience, but I always consider myself a self-taught artist, because most things that I know about painting I had to learn by myself by trial and errors. I was working in the evenings, attending classes in the mornings and studying during the rest of the day. I ended up graduating with honors and it was a great satisfaction.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I have constantly new ideas that I would like to paint right away, but most of the time I can't because usually gallery shows have precise themes. Also when you work on commissions you have to follow the idea and themes chosen by your collectors, which it's something that I actually love because my collectors are very much in tune with me! I like to hear their stories, their ideas and connect with them. So I have a “magic” notebook that I keep filling with my thoughts and, anytime I have a chance, I make a painting based on the ideas that I wrote down. It happened to have something written there for a few years before I was ready to paint it! I feel a urge to create, I can't stay too long without painting, I feel terribly guilty for some reasons. It feels good to paint, being in the now while listening to music or to an audio-book. I helps me to concentrate and focus on what I'm doing.

On the contrary I have to be in complete silence when I'm sketching out my ideas or I would get distracted. Art helps me to go through the difficulties of life and so sometime what drives me to paint is the attachment and love for life, the need to go ahead day by day. When I sketch an idea, usually I stay with the first layout, so I don't really make many version of the same painting before starting.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

Well, I paint mostly for myself , I mean it is my own need to paint and I paint what I like, what I would love to hang on my walls. I paint what I feel, my dreams, my favorite fairy tales, I paint something inspired by music that I love, books or even movies. I don't know what other people will see, I think that everybody is free to interpret my artworks. I love when people reach out and let me know that my art brightened their day, or that helped them going through a tough period, when they tell me that they can relate with the characters of my artworks. Sometime It happens that I write a little explanation about what drove me to paint a certain subject, but we are all different and with our own baggage of experiences and life, so it's wonderful to know how wide is the range of emotions that an artwork can stir in the heart of somebody depending on infinite variables.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

Personally my main struggle is being productive as I would like to be when it happens that I'm physically sick or maybe I'm in a tough period and emotionally not in the right place. In these cases it's hard because I would like to do so many things but I don't have the energy and I have to

Accept that the only thing I can do is to take good care of myself and give me some time without forcing me too much. When there is a close deadline though, you don't really have the chance to take some time off, an so you have to really gather all your energy and go ahead even if you don't feel at your best. This really teaches you a lots of discipline. In the common imagination the artist is somebody who only paint when is very inspired, maybe at night and have a life with little or no rules. But in real life most of the time is not like so! We actually need to set our own rules in order to accomplish our goals and being too free sometimes can be a disadvantage if you don't know how to handle such freedom. So my advice to a starting artist would be is learn discipline, create good habits, be consistent, have grit (which is even more important than natural talent!) and go ahead in following your call, no matter what other people says.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

Actually I like both creating single pieces and series, but probably I mostly work on single pieces because I like the variety of characters and moods. When I work on a series, for example illustrations inspired by a fairy tale, I pick the parts of the story that means the most for me and that would translate good into a scenery possibly filled with little details. I like to take different moments and character from the same story and freeze them into a composition a little bit like in a movie poster. 

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I've been using different media through the years, but the one that I connect the most with is oil on canvas. Oils are slow drying and I like the possibility of going over, blend some more, taking my time to work the colors in, the shades, the tones. I don't fit well with fast techniques. I do use watercolors too sometimes, but I “invented” my own technique that doesn't really require being fast. I love to create transparent glazing of colors over a monochrome under-painting. That's my favorite technique with oils and I do my best to keep learning about it. 

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is my call in this world and to me means purpose, the right path when I'm lost, connection when I feel alone, hope when the world around me seems collapsing and it's therapeutic when I feel blue. Art for me is also my way to express joy, love, beauty, diversity, enthusiasm for the little things and sometimes away to watch the world through the eyes of my inner child. I think that art is an elixir and a cure for the hearts.

 

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Simona Candini for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

I have to say that long-term goals require a strong will. And our generation is very fragile to long-term goals. Everything goes to instant experience. Instant information access, instant shopping, instant paying - instant living.
But most of the habits we have, contradict the reality of quality life.
We need time to make up our minds. We need time for quality choices, we need time healing, we need time for love. And we need time to call ourselves professionals, to build expertise, and teach others how it should be done.
That's where I find Dragon Star Art as one nice example. Starla Friend committed her whole life to art. Since she was a little child always had her goal in front of her. Details on her little sculptures seem to tell a story of their own. A story of a different world, a story of our desires, a story of our home.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

My name is Starla Friend and I am an independent artist working under the studio name Dragonstarart. I am from Texas and currently living in San Antonio with my husband and two cats. I decided as a very small child that I wanted to be an artist, and have spent my life working towards that goal. I went to Webster University in St. Louis with the intention to be a graphic designer and graduated as a painter. That’s where I got my first taste of ceramics, and then I didn’t touch the medium again for several years. 

I was at a festival one day, and while visiting a shop selling ceramics, a deep and visceral longing to sculpt came to me. I knew at that moment that I wanted my own kiln, and I wanted to start making ceramics again. I didn’t know where the journey would take me, but I knew I had to start.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I get excited when new ideas come to me, but it’s often at the most inconvenient times. I nearly always have my sketchbook with me, where my ideas begin as a small drawing, and occasionally as just a few, hurriedly scribbled words.  I let most ideas grow for a while before getting started on them. It's always interesting to see how the idea and design evolves by the time it's complete.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

I try to convey a little cheerfulness and magic with my ceramic designs. I loved painting and drawing animals when I was younger, so it seemed only natural to sculpt them as well. I do occasionally make pieces that are a bit odd and creepy, or evoke a sense of longing. This helps to declutter my overactive imagination.

You can’t demand that the viewer see exactly what you see in your work, but I love when people see my work, and their faces light up with joy. I know in that moment I’ve made something good and brought a little happiness into this world.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists? 

One of the main struggles is having the patience to let your career grow. It can take so much time and hard work to make a living with art. I am so lucky to have my wonderful, supportive husband who has always believed in me and encouraged me to keep pushing forward in my career.

Another huge struggle for me is interacting with my fans. I’m very much an introvert, and having so many followers can be anxiety inducing, especially with the constant influx of messages, comments, and questions. I’ve had to learn to take a deep breath, relax, and manage the various messages and tasks in smaller pieces. 

My advice for starting artists is to be persistent and allow yourself to experiment with different ideas and mediums. Don’t give up, hold tight to those people who truly support you, and remember to take breaks when you get overwhelmed. 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I prefer pieces that can stand on their own, but as I’ve created my collection of work, I can clearly see how many of the pieces are related. They seem to communicate and inform the design choices even across seemingly unconnected mediums. 

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

Most of my work is ceramic sculpture, but I also create paintings with watercolors and acrylics. The most alluring thing about ceramics, for me, is the way it transcends time. I’m awed by the ancient trinkets and figurines that have been unearthed, made by someone so long ago, and yet they still exist. I find the permanence of the material intriguing.

My paintings are more personal. I paint to meditate and calm my anxious mind.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

To me, art is everything. It is so much a part of our world that we can’t separate it from being human. Even if you don’t make art of your own, you interact with it everyday. I sometimes feel that if I stop creating, I might cease to exist.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Starla Friend for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

I have to say that long-term goals require a strong will. And our generation is very fragile to long-term goals. Everything goes to instant experience. Instant information access, instant shopping, instant paying - instant living.
But most of the habits we have, contradict the reality of quality life.
We need time to make up our minds. We need time for quality choices, we need time healing, we need time for love. And we need time to call ourselves professionals, to build expertise, and teach others how it should be done.
That's where I find Dragon Star Art as one nice example. Starla Friend committed her whole life to art. Since she was a little child always had her goal in front of her. Details on her little sculptures seem to tell a story of their own. A story of a different world, a story of our desires, a story of our home.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

My name is Starla Friend and I am an independent artist working under the studio name Dragonstarart. I am from Texas and currently living in San Antonio with my husband and two cats. I decided as a very small child that I wanted to be an artist, and have spent my life working towards that goal. I went to Webster University in St. Louis with the intention to be a graphic designer and graduated as a painter. That’s where I got my first taste of ceramics, and then I didn’t touch the medium again for several years. 

I was at a festival one day, and while visiting a shop selling ceramics, a deep and visceral longing to sculpt came to me. I knew at that moment that I wanted my own kiln, and I wanted to start making ceramics again. I didn’t know where the journey would take me, but I knew I had to start.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

I get excited when new ideas come to me, but it’s often at the most inconvenient times. I nearly always have my sketchbook with me, where my ideas begin as a small drawing, and occasionally as just a few, hurriedly scribbled words.  I let most ideas grow for a while before getting started on them. It's always interesting to see how the idea and design evolves by the time it's complete.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

I try to convey a little cheerfulness and magic with my ceramic designs. I loved painting and drawing animals when I was younger, so it seemed only natural to sculpt them as well. I do occasionally make pieces that are a bit odd and creepy, or evoke a sense of longing. This helps to declutter my overactive imagination.

You can’t demand that the viewer see exactly what you see in your work, but I love when people see my work, and their faces light up with joy. I know in that moment I’ve made something good and brought a little happiness into this world.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists? 

One of the main struggles is having the patience to let your career grow. It can take so much time and hard work to make a living with art. I am so lucky to have my wonderful, supportive husband who has always believed in me and encouraged me to keep pushing forward in my career.

Another huge struggle for me is interacting with my fans. I’m very much an introvert, and having so many followers can be anxiety inducing, especially with the constant influx of messages, comments, and questions. I’ve had to learn to take a deep breath, relax, and manage the various messages and tasks in smaller pieces. 

My advice for starting artists is to be persistent and allow yourself to experiment with different ideas and mediums. Don’t give up, hold tight to those people who truly support you, and remember to take breaks when you get overwhelmed. 

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

I prefer pieces that can stand on their own, but as I’ve created my collection of work, I can clearly see how many of the pieces are related. They seem to communicate and inform the design choices even across seemingly unconnected mediums. 

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

Most of my work is ceramic sculpture, but I also create paintings with watercolors and acrylics. The most alluring thing about ceramics, for me, is the way it transcends time. I’m awed by the ancient trinkets and figurines that have been unearthed, made by someone so long ago, and yet they still exist. I find the permanence of the material intriguing.

My paintings are more personal. I paint to meditate and calm my anxious mind.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

To me, art is everything. It is so much a part of our world that we can’t separate it from being human. Even if you don’t make art of your own, you interact with it everyday. I sometimes feel that if I stop creating, I might cease to exist.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Starla Friend for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

Is it difficult to be a team player? A question that is barely asked. We are always bombed with flocculus how much teamwork is important and how special it is. But we are never asked, is it difficult to be a part of the team? To fully believe the other person. To feel supported and not overwhelmed. To feel like you are ending each other sentences and encouraging creative storms just when it's needed.
If you ever felt like a stranger in a room, or like the only person that doesn't get the topic right - we invite you to read this blog. Let it soak, and try to find some answers to your struggles.
The powerful artistic duo behind Pottery&Poetry is a great inspiration for anyone looking for an example of team work. Maria Baleva creating pottery and Zornitsa Genova writing poetry. In every aspect of their work, you can feel them complementing each other. With grace, they blended two art directions into one brand. Making a creative and encouraging space for every person that decides to be a part of their journey.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

We are Bulgarians living and working in Sofia.  Art has been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember.  In one way or another, it has always been present around us

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

It's different every time.  Sometimes inspiration pulls you out of bed at night and you have no rest until you create something, and sometimes you need to meditate a little in the waters of your subconscious because the everyday life has caught you by the throat and you are just blocked.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

We really hope so, we would be happy for our things to resonate differently in our different fans, because that means that they bring a multi-layered energy and emotion.  We do not like to define the process, it is alive and should not be framed.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists? 

The most difficult thing is to find time to keep your true creative energy alive so that you do not lose your inner impulse and be true to yourself.  If you do things with desire and love, they always succeed. That is our advise, just don’t give up on what you really love to do.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

Interesting question, we have not thought about it in that point of view. There is a creative energy and we follow it, the parts of it are inseparable from the whole and are equally important because they resonate with each other.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

The choice of materials is mainly purely practical, we prefer porcelain because it is durable, but there are items that give more defects with porcelain. The rest is a matter of inspiration and of course each costumer has different preferences. Every material carries a different energy and requires a different techniques so it is cool to switch them in order to keep yourself intrigued.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is a necessity, it cannot and should not be defined. Art is a way of living that helps you enjoy the beauty and wisdom that flows from everything, making you feel one with the soul of the world.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Maria Baleva and Zornitsa Genova for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

Is it difficult to be a team player? A question that is barely asked. We are always bombed with flocculus how much teamwork is important and how special it is. But we are never asked, is it difficult to be a part of the team? To fully believe the other person. To feel supported and not overwhelmed. To feel like you are ending each other sentences and encouraging creative storms just when it's needed.
If you ever felt like a stranger in a room, or like the only person that doesn't get the topic right - we invite you to read this blog. Let it soak, and try to find some answers to your struggles.
The powerful artistic duo behind Pottery&Poetry is a great inspiration for anyone looking for an example of team work. Maria Baleva creating pottery and Zornitsa Genova writing poetry. In every aspect of their work, you can feel them complementing each other. With grace, they blended two art directions into one brand. Making a creative and encouraging space for every person that decides to be a part of their journey.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

We are Bulgarians living and working in Sofia.  Art has been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember.  In one way or another, it has always been present around us

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

It's different every time.  Sometimes inspiration pulls you out of bed at night and you have no rest until you create something, and sometimes you need to meditate a little in the waters of your subconscious because the everyday life has caught you by the throat and you are just blocked.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

We really hope so, we would be happy for our things to resonate differently in our different fans, because that means that they bring a multi-layered energy and emotion.  We do not like to define the process, it is alive and should not be framed.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists? 

The most difficult thing is to find time to keep your true creative energy alive so that you do not lose your inner impulse and be true to yourself.  If you do things with desire and love, they always succeed. That is our advise, just don’t give up on what you really love to do.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

Interesting question, we have not thought about it in that point of view. There is a creative energy and we follow it, the parts of it are inseparable from the whole and are equally important because they resonate with each other.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

The choice of materials is mainly purely practical, we prefer porcelain because it is durable, but there are items that give more defects with porcelain. The rest is a matter of inspiration and of course each costumer has different preferences. Every material carries a different energy and requires a different techniques so it is cool to switch them in order to keep yourself intrigued.

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

Art is a necessity, it cannot and should not be defined. Art is a way of living that helps you enjoy the beauty and wisdom that flows from everything, making you feel one with the soul of the world.
The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Maria Baleva and Zornitsa Genova for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

Life is about the journey, not the destination!
How many times have you heard it? For me, it's one of the phrases that keep on repeating endlessly, and no one is giving you the manual to live that way. To be present. To be here. With your full mind and body. I must admit I have tried to practice that life approach couple of times, but it always ends up with failure.
Being so fascinated by the present moment, and in constant search of the right recipe for my unsolved case, I came across one fascinating artist. Her story made me think in a different direction.
Bea was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis two years ago. In her search of solutions for life problems that hit us hard - she found art. She started developing her world of Tender Flesh, a pottery brand of exquisite pieces. And everything that Tender Flesh is now is part of who Bea was, and who she will become.
I guess we can agree with a strong point: Life is about the journey, and experiences and love, and sorrow. And everything that we listen, feel, or see. It is unique to us - it is tender like the flesh.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

I’m from a small town in rural Wales, but I now live in Bath, England. I’ve always been interested in art, specifically 3D, and I’ve had a fascination with objects which appear alive as long as I can remember. From a young age I would sculpt prosthetics and SFX costumes, and spent a long time practicing realistic sculpture and body horror. A lot of my current work is inspired by horror sculpture, intersected with drag culture and fashion.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

Many of my pieces come from a morbid curiosity with the human body and its limitations, though a lot of my work comes from a place of humor - in fact a lot of my ideas start as jokes with my partner.
I have lists of ideas for pieces that I’d like to make, and add to them whenever inspiration strikes. Usually as soon as I’ve had an idea I’ll know if it’ll work well and whether it’ll be effective – though sometimes the pieces I didn’t expect to work were the ones that came out the best! Sometimes though I just start sculpting and whatever comes out comes out, but usually I’ve planned out what I’ll be making ahead of time.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

I began making art as a way to deal with my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) two years ago. I felt betrayed by my body and I use my art as a way to explore the relationship I have with my fragile, tender flesh, and also as a way to create something I value when my MS means I can’t do my PhD.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

My main struggle is in dealing with the unexpected and constant nature of my MS. Some days I can work for hours and feel fine, but others I can’t get out of bed or feel my hands, and I often don’t know how a day will be until I wake up that morning. I am still grieving for my life before MS, but I’m finding joy in what I can do, and appreciating the new worlds my disability has opened up for me and the connections I’ve made along the way.

My advice to starting artists would be to not aim for perfection but progress, and to be gentle with themselves. Also, social media may be a nightmare, but it has opened up so many doors for me, and I encourage artists to use it as they feel comfortable but also not to dwell too much on numerical measures of success, which can be demotivating and can ruin the joy of creating.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

Usually each item I make is stand-alone, though last year I collaborated with an amazing artist (Izzie Beirne) on a small run of pots which she painted in her unique style. I really enjoyed working on this collection of four complimentary pieces, and would like to do more collections based off a unifying theme in future.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I use polymer clay for all of my pieces, because it’s a material I can sculpt, paint and bake at home. I began creating during the beginning of the pandemic, and since I was shielding I couldn’t go to a ceramics studio to use a kiln, so I opted for this more accessible material. It has its limitations, and I would love to make ceramics now that I feel a little safer going outside, though I’m aware it’s a very different material so it could take some getting used to!

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

For me, art is freedom, self-expression and beauty. It exists everywhere and enriches all our lives, whether we’re aware of it or not. I enjoy art which is honest, scary and thought-provoking, and my aim with my work is to create animate inanimate objects that I’d like to have in my own home but which frighten me a little.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Bea for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic

Life is about the journey, not the destination!
How many times have you heard it? For me, it's one of the phrases that keep on repeating endlessly, and no one is giving you the manual to live that way. To be present. To be here. With your full mind and body. I must admit I have tried to practice that life approach couple of times, but it always ends up with failure.
Being so fascinated by the present moment, and in constant search of the right recipe for my unsolved case, I came across one fascinating artist. Her story made me think in a different direction.
Bea was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis two years ago. In her search of solutions for life problems that hit us hard - she found art. She started developing her world of Tender Flesh, a pottery brand of exquisite pieces. And everything that Tender Flesh is now is part of who Bea was, and who she will become.
I guess we can agree with a strong point: Life is about the journey, and experiences and love, and sorrow. And everything that we listen, feel, or see. It is unique to us - it is tender like the flesh.

Where are you from? Where does the art journey start for you?

I’m from a small town in rural Wales, but I now live in Bath, England. I’ve always been interested in art, specifically 3D, and I’ve had a fascination with objects which appear alive as long as I can remember. From a young age I would sculpt prosthetics and SFX costumes, and spent a long time practicing realistic sculpture and body horror. A lot of my current work is inspired by horror sculpture, intersected with drag culture and fashion.

What is the first emotion that drives you towards creating an art piece? Do you recognize the connection immediately and let yourself flow on the creative process? Or do you "bake" the inspiration for some time?

Many of my pieces come from a morbid curiosity with the human body and its limitations, though a lot of my work comes from a place of humor - in fact a lot of my ideas start as jokes with my partner.
I have lists of ideas for pieces that I’d like to make, and add to them whenever inspiration strikes. Usually as soon as I’ve had an idea I’ll know if it’ll work well and whether it’ll be effective – though sometimes the pieces I didn’t expect to work were the ones that came out the best! Sometimes though I just start sculpting and whatever comes out comes out, but usually I’ve planned out what I’ll be making ahead of time.

What is the back story of your design? Because every one of us sees the world through separate lenses. How hard it must be to transfer it to other people?

I began making art as a way to deal with my diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) two years ago. I felt betrayed by my body and I use my art as a way to explore the relationship I have with my fragile, tender flesh, and also as a way to create something I value when my MS means I can’t do my PhD.

When it comes to making a living from your art, what are the main struggles? And what would be your advice for starting artists?

My main struggle is in dealing with the unexpected and constant nature of my MS. Some days I can work for hours and feel fine, but others I can’t get out of bed or feel my hands, and I often don’t know how a day will be until I wake up that morning. I am still grieving for my life before MS, but I’m finding joy in what I can do, and appreciating the new worlds my disability has opened up for me and the connections I’ve made along the way.

My advice to starting artists would be to not aim for perfection but progress, and to be gentle with themselves. Also, social media may be a nightmare, but it has opened up so many doors for me, and I encourage artists to use it as they feel comfortable but also not to dwell too much on numerical measures of success, which can be demotivating and can ruin the joy of creating.

What do you prefer, single pieces or storytelling through a whole project? And what approach do you use in each case?

Usually each item I make is stand-alone, though last year I collaborated with an amazing artist (Izzie Beirne) on a small run of pots which she painted in her unique style. I really enjoyed working on this collection of four complimentary pieces, and would like to do more collections based off a unifying theme in future.

Why do you use certain materials? What connects you with them, and makes you feel they are perfect for your art piece?

I use polymer clay for all of my pieces, because it’s a material I can sculpt, paint and bake at home. I began creating during the beginning of the pandemic, and since I was shielding I couldn’t go to a ceramics studio to use a kiln, so I opted for this more accessible material. It has its limitations, and I would love to make ceramics now that I feel a little safer going outside, though I’m aware it’s a very different material so it could take some getting used to!

What does ART, in general, mean to you?

For me, art is freedom, self-expression and beauty. It exists everywhere and enriches all our lives, whether we’re aware of it or not. I enjoy art which is honest, scary and thought-provoking, and my aim with my work is to create animate inanimate objects that I’d like to have in my own home but which frighten me a little.

The FOURLINEdesign team would like to thank Bea for sharing inspiring thoughts with our community.

By Milena Spasojevic