Redefining Artistic Direction and Career

     I had everything going for me artistically, but not financially. I had created a website, a blog, given myself a name, had the support of friends, developed a line of work that was selling successfully- functional work and sculptural work and I had even begun to setup a studio with a plan and realized I just bit off more than I could chew. Financially I had no plan and lets face it without the financial means even the greatest of ideas will come to a halt, so I began working more elsewhere. I was enjoying my teaching experience and craved more. So what does this all mean? Have I given up on my dream or just realized that what I thought was my dream was not the most stable of endeavors in this economy. I learned that commissioned work takes the fun out of creating. I learned I'm not the greatest business woman. I learned that I simply don't have the space to store all it takes to be a constant creative being. So it was time for a bit of redefining my artistic direction.

     I am certified to teach K-12 arts education and I have a wealth of lesson plans and ideas for developing a great classroom. I loved every minute of the arts education curriculum at UL and excelled when given the chance to develop my own unit plan. I student taught at Lafayette High and took on the challenge of classroom management and I progressed. So why haven't I gotten a job yet as an art teacher when all of the stars seem to be aligned? There just haven't been jobs available. I'm stubborn. I've found a city that I just can't live without. It has everything: a good portion of my family, some great friends, great festivals, tremendous artistic potential, a fun music scene and some wonderful down to earth people and lots and lots of CULTURE! Lafayette parish has been two years on a hiring freeze and Art teachers stay at their jobs until retirement because the job is just that rewarding. So I've rolled with the punches...working jobs here and there. Substituting and teaching at Pottery Alley have kept me on my feet with classroom management skills, developing my teacher voice and lesson ideas. All of my other jobs have been working with a spectrum of community members and this is always great because I continually strengthen my people skills and my confidence.

     So this being said, yes my artistic direction has taken a bit of a turn. My art-making experience will return to me...in my free time when I have the financial means to explore the things I want to explore. Will I someday sell my artwork again at festivals...sure. Will I take commission work...likely not. Will I open my own art business....likely not. Will I be a fantastic art teacher with a wealth of knowledge about art processes, art career advice and direct knowledge about the Lafayette Art Scene....yes, yes, yes! This feels like a win! So Lafayette please prepare - I am ready to share my teaching philosophy with our youth.

Here is a glimpse into my Parent/ Student Letter:

Hello Parents and Students!

I would like to welcome you to an exciting exploration of the arts with Me, Ms. Lafleur, thanks to Think Inc! I’m a UL Fine Art Grad since 08 and now certified to teach K-12 Art. I am a practicing artist who sells ceramic work at local festivals and galleries and I teach part time at Pottery Alley- a ceramics education studio! 

A little about my teaching philosophy: I like to think of the art classroom experience as an exploration of our potential for creativity. I encourage exploration of media, individual responsibility and ownership, tolerance, cross-curricular and real world connections and ultimately art making with a purpose.

Parent’s did you ask yourself why does my child need Art?

Let me explain the benefits:

Art challenges the mind to think in connected ways. Some of us think more analytically- excelling in math, language and structures and are considered left brained thinkers. Others of us think intuitively, less organized and more spontaneously- excelling in the arts, music and working with our hands. Your child doesn’t have to be a right-brained thinker to excel in the art classroom. Creativity is about making connections across the hemispheres of the brain to encourage whole brain thinking. As long as your child puts forth the effort, given the proper motivation, your child can excel in the art classroom.

How, Do you ask?

In my teaching I try my absolute best to focus on areas your child does well in. If your child excels in math then I know that he/she would enjoy tessellations, measurement and proportion. If your child excels in science then I know that he/she would enjoy color exploration and photography processing. If your child excels in English then I know that he/she would enjoy critiques, visual poems and talking about his/her work. I will give prompts for projects that encourage student choice.

What does involvement in the Arts yield?

A student that is more well-rounded and open to interconnected thinking patterns and an opportunity to express themselves in a way they haven’t maybe had the chance to before. Employers these days look for more than the analytical and factual interpretation. They look for designers and innovators who can back up their ideas with factual and analytical information. Encouragement of creative thought helps us make these connections. Art has the capacity to open our minds and create ingenuity and become more expressive.

What will my Child learn?

We will learn the basic elements and principals of composition, some art history and explore various art media through your child’s choice of a 2D or 3D curriculum (read below for descriptions and supply costs). We will learn to make connections to our visual culture in a way that maybe we haven’t thought about before. We will have guest speakers and take the occasional field trip! We will explore the avenue of community arts- a catalyst for meaningful art.

How as the Parent can I be Involved?

I ask you as the parents of these young minds to participate in whatever capacity you can so that we can make this program a great one! Whether it be simply encouraging your student to try their best- display their work proudly, to donating time, to chaperoning an outing, to signing up as a community guest speaker, to donating supplies or treats for the class…we want you to be involved in your child’s extracurriculars. 

The Creative Curriculum

Your child has the choice of two Units of Study:

Our Visual World in 2 Dimensions (held Mon, Wed- 45 mins/occasionally one 90 min session* will let you know in advance of the dates)

-    Your child will explore 2 Dimensional media such as Drawing, Design, Color, Painting and Printmaking. We will explore readings, artists and movements from the visual arts and have one scheduled outing, a guest speaker from the community, and one community based project. Supply Pack is available for purchase or you can opt to purchase your own materials but they are mandatory to participate.

                Or

Our Visual World in 3 Dimensions (held Tues, Thurs- 45 mins/occasionally one 90 min session* will let you know in advance of the dates)

-    Your child will explore 3 Dimensional media such as Clay, Plaster, Paper Making, Origami, Wire Works, and Paper Mache. We will explore readings, artists and movements from the visual arts and have one scheduled outing, a guest speaker from the community, and one community based project during our curriculum. Supply Pack is available for purchase or you can opt to purchase your own materials but they are mandatory to participate.

Lessons

3D Sculpture:

Wire Environments

Abstract Sculpture: Plaster and Vermiculite àHenri Matisse

Found Object Assemblage: a Look at Artist Louis Nevelson

Paper Mache Cultural Instruments – Percussive Pods

Origami Paper Lanterns àDiwali

Dia De Los Muertos: Remembrance Nichos

Altered Books

Pop Art: Soft Sculpture

Rhythm in Layers - Wood

2D:

Quality of Line and Music: A look at Vassily Kandinsky

Artist Trading Cards

Altered Images – Drawing and Collage

Free Form Stencil Drawing

Lino Cut Prints – A Printmaking Process

Torn Paper Portraits

Drawing with Thread

Simple Shuminagi – Ink Paintings

Fresco Paintings – Plaster Painting

Journal Covers

Acrylic Shingle Paintings

Items to Donate

Newspapers                                Vinyl or Rubber Gloves

Milk Cartons                                Old Forks, spoons or knives

Small plastic Lidded Containers           Shoe Boxes

Garden Gloves                     Buttons, Army Men, wood scraps (small junk)

Styrofoam Meat Trays (sanitized)   Garden Vermiculite

Coffee Tins (with Lid)

Professional Development: Alabama Clay Conference 2012

So it's official Susannah and I will be traveling to Birmingham, AL for this year's Alabama Clay Conference!

The featured artists will be:

From left to Right: Sergei Isupov, Lorna Meaden, and Chris Gryder

I have to say that I was most excited to see that Sergei Isupov was included in the list of showcasing and lecturing artists. I've been inspired by his flare for the shall we say surrealist renderings of animal and man. He has a knack for oddity, but he does it in such an aesthetic and flawless way that there is for me instant attraction. His works are refined and detailed and they have a voice - what don't they say really.

I was most surprised by Chris Gryder's work however, due in part because his work is where I would love to be with my work someday...touching on the very fibers of natural, but in a very mechanical and less obvious way. His work speaks volumes. Each piece is a masterpiece in itself. Pieced and collected together as a collective whole; the work draws me in. I am encapsulated by his use of flat matte color, simple natural form and flowing line. I could sit all day and talk about the formalities of his work and just  how well they work together in unity. 

Although I'm not a particular fan of the color choices of Lorna Meaden's work I am awe-struck by her aesthetic use of connecting and dynamic shape. I am most impressed by her handles and lids...the attributing arms and limbs of her work. For me sometimes these can feel like such an after thought, but with Lorna the pieces just flow into their final shape. I am excited to see how she works in the studio. 

This conference couldn't come at a better time. Its on the cusp of festival season, just when we are due back in the studio to produce, produce, produce. Susannah and I will be traveling and possibly camping...either tents or a cabin. I can't be more excited to make this trek with the very person that gave me the means to be where I am right now. Its wonderful how we meet these people in our lives that propel us forward. We may have our spats...because we are indeed so much alike, but she is truly my ceramic guru.

Look for pictures from this weekend long adventure and the inspirations from its aftermath after February!

My Web Page Went Viral: www.muddculture.com! Check it out

Visit: Mudd Culture

In efforts to follow my dream of entrepreneurship in the field I love I've launched a webpage devoted to clay and plaster, my development as an artist, and arts education. It took me forever to decided who I would design and launch my webpage with. The decision was an important one. I needed to find something that was easy enough for me to update and develop, something that was relatively cheap but reliable, a program that had decent themes, widgets, plug-ins...mind you all of this I had no clue about when I first tossed around the idea of a webpage for Mudd Culture. I learned all about wordpress  because wordpress is the program we used for Pottery Alley's web page. I am often responsible for adding events, updating news and information about Pottery Alley on our web page so this is where I first got to experience it. A friend at the potter studio had her husband develop the web page for Pottery Alley and he gave us a basic walk through of how to update information and it has been really easy to use. So for now I am happy with my web page. I have over 20 tabs to explore on my page. Let me know what you think! Is it too much information, should I narrow it down. You may ask what is my focus. I am thinking that eventually I will have several web pages. One that promotes just my Production Line, one that promotes me as an artist and one that promotes my interest in art education. For now however my page is a conglomerate of relative information...its just a lot to take in at once I'm sure. 

Lino Cuts: Image Printing on Ceramics

The Back Ground Story: 

I came to the conclusion that I just wasn't satisfied with the average thrown form from the wheel. I had to bring my wheel thrown work to a more personal level. Printmaking inspired me when I went back to college, suddenly drawing became fun. Linoleum was my favorite medium while in printmaking maybe because it had a similar sensibility to clay. The process is subtractive...blade gliding through the soft linoleum, but mistakes can't be fixed...there is no adding linoleum into those permanent cuts.

Choosing Linoleum for the Process

It is important to consider softness, durability and size when purchasing linoleum. For printing on clay forms you will need a soft linoleum that can wrap around the form you are printing. Soft linoleum is also easier to carve. You won't want what's called a battleship linoleum because this is a harder linoleum. Think soft and rubbery. Also look for details in the description that say durable! Through the printing process you will be waring on the linoleum so you need something that is strong. Finally size is important. I buy 4 by 6 blocks because it fits the average size of my pieces, but I can also cut down the blocks into decent sized smaller shapes. Check out my linoleum, take into consideration shipping...if you buy in bulk you will save on shipping! I buy usually 30 at a time...but I am also into production :) I prefer online purchases because it gives me more options versus shopping locally at craft shops..plus it ends up cheaper in the long run.

Choosing Lino Cutters for the Process

Choose a durable lino cutter. I like the ones that have a screw on cap on the end so that I can keep my blades in the cutter itself..the blades are easy to lose! Get a variety of blades and experiment with the lines that each blade make..its a great process. Check out my lino cutter.

Choosing Images for the Process

Pick images that inspire you. Simple images are best to start with. Research through google images. Google images gives you lots of options for your ideas. Mix up images to create something completely new. Be careful of using words as these will be backwards in the printing process. You will have to play with writing backwards or finding a program that allows you to type up words backwards. I have still yet to research a program like this...ha ha. I've just been learning to write backwards.

Get to Cutting Already

Draw on your lino with a soft pencil or rolling ball pen. Draw on a piece of paper and carbon coat the back....by rubbing your pencil across the back to create the carbon coat...then trace your image directly onto the lino surface. Practice, practice, practice with line using the different blades in your collection. Then go for the gusto. Decide wether you want to just create the outline or make up your image by cutting the positive areas of your drawing. Remember all the areas you cut away will be white..and the rest will be the inked area. 

Inking: Trial and Error and then Research

Thanks to my friend in the studio, Cliff Broussard, I was inspired to do some research on image prints on clay. As a "starving" young artist you've gotta go the cheap route. So say good bye to expensive image transfers from computer generated graphics. I found a cheaper solution through my experience with Printmaking! Plus I really enjoy drawing now and lino cuts were my favorite anyways. So I began exploring recipes for "ink" like mixtures for printing on clay. My first experiment after having cut my first lino stamp was with red iron oxide. Red Iron Oxide doesn't burn out under glazes so I thought this would be a good solution. I quickly found that Red Iron Oxide repelled from the surface of the linoleum..kind of like a resist. The image transferred was unclear. I was dissatisfied so I tried a more viscous glaze instead called Stroke and Coats. Stroke and Coats aren't true to color...meaning their color matures in the heat of the kiln...their vibrancy shows after they come out of the kiln. Stroke and Coats are also shiny after fired. These worked ok, but I wasn't entirely happy with the final outcome. I printed the images on the form and had to leave the color of the clay body and clear coating it to create the same shine the Stroke and Coat created. So I finally researched! I found a recipe for an "ink" that acted like the Red Iron Oxide..it would show through an overcoat of glaze, but wouldn't shrink from the surface of the linoleum. It was a really simple solution! 

The Image Transfer Ink Recipe

2 parts mason ceramic stain of any color 

3 parts Linseed oil

Mason Jar with Tight Lid or Glad Ware Container

I use tablespoons for my parts ratio. Its best to use smaller portions because leaving excess Ink in your container will eventually crust up. Use a container with a tight lid so that you can shake it up for each use! Once you mix up your ink its best to let the ink "soak"...meaning allow the mason stain particles to mix thoroughly with the oil. 24 hrs is best.

The Inking and Printing Process Described Through Images from the Studio

You will need:

Pre-mixed Mason Ink (recipe above)

Small Plexi glass or plastic square for inking surface (to be used only for this ink only...you can reuse!)

Odorless Mineral Spirits for Cleanup ** Read up on the Safety Data Sheet linked here!

Your Lino Cut

A Bisque Fired Ceramic Piece with even walls

A flat piece of foam (sofa foam or pillow foam works best) craft stores usually have pillow foam (Hobby Lobby!)

An ink roller (I used foam hair curlers!)

Your choice of Glaze (I use cone 6 Oatmeal Matte or something simple in color and I enjoy the matte surface so that the shine doesn't detract from the image itself- this is a personal preference)

Printing From Start to Finish:

Choose a form that has large flat surfaced areas.

Choose a lino cut that is small enough to press onto your form. This is a print of a character I created called Sookie.

This is the print straight onto paper. Notice how the image is reverse...including the words.

This is the Pre-Mixed Ink, my inking surface (an old metal tin) and the roller (similar to the hair roller-but found at the craft store in the aisle with stencils).

Place your lino onto the pillow foam after you have inked up your lino cut. This create a soft surface that allows even pressure as you press your cup into the lino stamp.

Position your cup over the image and then press it evenly across the surface..I rotated  the cup a little to get all of the image.

Here is the finished printed image on the cup.

I finished the top of the mug off with more ink just for a more cohesive piece.

We have 5 gallon buckets of glaze. I dipped my cup straight into the bucket after the ink had dried for about 5 to 10 minutes. You do not have to fire the piece and then glaze it. You can glaze it the same day you print the image. Again I used an Oatmeal Matte cone 6 glaze.

Please feel free to email me at muddculture@gmail.com if you have more questions about the process! Good luck to you :)

Invaluable Artistic Experiences: La Fete' Ecologie 2011

I had the opportunity Sept 24th to participate in La Fete' d'Ecologie! For those of you who do not know what this is check out their website at http://lafete.btnep.org/LaFeteHome.aspx.

La Fete' d'Ecologie is a festival that celebrates Louisiana's environment, history and blend of culture in the Barrataria-Terrebone National Estuary. They have musicians, educational demonstrations, food, and folk life artists that show off what Louisiana has to offer. Its a festival worth checking out if you missed it this year. There is lots of hands on activities for kids! There are frog races, alligator pettings, cast netting, face painting and much more. This year the festival was held at Lake End Park of Morgan City. This is one beautiful area!

The Beautiful Lake End

Alligator Petting

Nature's Wonder and Awe

Dance to that Folk Music!

I had the wonderful opportunity to be able to participate as a Folk Life Artist this year thanks to a dear friend of Pottery Alley. Mr. Doug if you ever read this cheers to you! He gave my name to an inquiring friend of the Barrataria area. My booth was under the name Mudd Culture by Erin Lafleur.

One of my kiddies finished pieces!

Folk life artists were to demonstrate a domestic and or occupational craft that potentially increases the experience of festival goers and increase their understanding of the areas customs and resources. So I came up with a lesson for kids called "Nature Fossils". Nature Fossils are made by first creating a clay pinch pot. The pot is then flattened into a bed, much like the bottom bed of mud where fossils begin to form. Kids took items found from the park ground itself: acorns, leaves, grasses, rocks, tree branches, and even a feather. Imprints of these nature items are made in the clay bed. We then talked about gypsum (or its more common name: plaster). Plaster is a rock ground into a fine powder that hardens through an exothermic reaction when water is reintroduced to it. We poured plaster into our pinch pot creations and cast our imprints. The final step was adding a paper clip for hanging. The end result was a piece of artwork and a reminder of the importance of our natural surroundings around us.

I had two wonderful helpers! My friend David and my cousin Maddie. They were great with the kids and the demonstrations. David helped me sell my artwork and we kept each other company. Even splashed around in the lake...and in the sand.

Me and my little helper Maddie!

Thanks for helping Daveed

My booth was a tremendous success with the kids and parents. We ran out of supplies about 2 hours early, but the kids learned a lot and enjoyed the project. You should have seen their eyes light up when they found out we were making fossils. One little girl said she had just learned about that in school! For so many of the little ones it was the first time they had ever touched clay or for that matter even seen plaster. My booth was part of the kid scavenger hunt. Kids were given a list of trivia questions that pertained to each booth. My question was, "What is the smallest sediment found at the bottom of the Mississippi River?"...I gave hints. Can you guess?! I have the answer at the bottom of this page.

This little girl was so curious :)

I also had the opportunity to display my folk life work. So I brought along bowls, coffee, cups, coaster tiles, necklaces and sculptures. I sold a good number of my pieces and it felt good to break into the world of festival life. I handed out a bunch of my business cards. I had someone wanting to get in touch with me about working with a group of girl scouts. She even asked me how I got into ceramics! People legitimately cared about where I came from as an artist.

Zombie Princess Coffee Mug- Sold

Midwest Inspired Vase

Paisley Coaster Tiles- Sold

Decorative Tray ( business cards, soap, jewelry)

Necklaces- people loved these!

Overall the experience was wonderful! I would do it again in a heart beat. Next weekend I have another festival, Shadows on the Teche with Susannah, my boss lady at Pottery Alley.

I also got to visit my mom in Mississippi this weekend at her restaurant. My aunt and mom insisted that I leave some of my work with them and I had more necklaces sold that day :) Ceramic Life is so worth it.

From Drawing, to Printmaking, to Ceramic Work- an Artistic Evolution based on Consumer Necessity and Artistic Voice

So after much ado about…well nothing. I’ve come to the conclusion that an artist must bridge the gap between artistic voice and consumerism. Much of my college career was spent creating a voice, creating “my” style. I found my style steeped in conceptual thought. I modeled my work after ideas pushed by modern artists. (Thanks Art 21 for showing me the elite, the commissioned and seasoned) I wanted my work to stir up thought provoking ideas from viewers. I wanted my work to be viewed as if it were made up of a thousand words. I believe I achieved that in a sense. It certainly got talked about…but not bought.

Xenocentrism…who would have thought no one had a concept of what this is exactly. It’s quite the pun in that sense.

Case in point: A glimpse into my senior thesis work from college:

Babies made “creepy” out of context from the entire installation

Work simply too large to place on the wall in the comfort of anyone’s home 

I’m not saying that for an artist to feel accomplished their work must get sold. After all some artists are made more famous by what they haven’t sold; that which instead travels from show to show across the world. My work is a far cry from that status without a master’s degree at least.

So in order for me to feel accomplished I must some how bridge the gap between artistic voice and consumerism….so why not capitalize on what’s at the current peak of consumerism and something dear to my heart….coffeeeeeee.

Coffee mugs have quickly become another way of displaying self-identity after the 2000’s buzz on coffee culture. People want their daily brew and they want it in a cup that says something about themselves. So I let my wheels begin to turn.

So allow me to digress and explain the beginning of this evolution from voice to consumerism. In 2010 I returned to UL for my certification in Art Ed. Ms. Lynne Bustle suggested I take one more studio class so that I would be very prepared to teach youngsters many forms of art. All I needed was printmaking. One semester of this in my undergrad and I may have double majored….life has its way of skipping over details. Any who, printmaking became my friend..suddenly all those years of seemingly pain staking drawing paid off. Suddenly I loved the fact that I could make multiples of one thing. Linoleum was like subtractive sculpture…you had to think about the details…and I loved the challenge…I loved the potential for detail. I finished Printmaking with an A and shortly after I stopped having access to “drawing” multiples. Little did I know that this technique would surface again.

Fast forward to fall 2010. I am working at Pottery Alley teaching wheel and sculpture and my boss Susannah asks if I would like to help her with a production pottery line. The Super Cooper 5k Run needs 70 trophy mugs all with stamps on them that read “1^st place Women’s,  2^nd Place Men’s, 3^rd place Kid’s, etc.” I decide to use my plaster casting skills to make stamps. I stamp letter stamps for each word into a bed of wet clay and then cast these imprints in plaster. The result is a positive stamp of the words I need. Problem is the recess isn’t deep enough, but the stamps make due for our first bout with production pottery.

Super Cooper Mugs 2010

Its not until now Sept 2011, after having invested in 30 linoleum blocks and a cutting tool for printing blocks on paper that I’ve discovered the multipurpose use of linoleum blocks. One: the cut stamps can be rolled up with ink to create a negative  image of the stamp and Two: the cut stamps can be rolled in a slab of clay to create a positive of the cut stamp. The positive clay image can be used as appliqué on clay ware or by itself as a work of art, coaster, ornament or magnet. Thus birthed the idea of pop culture imagery on coffee mugs.

Example of one of my recently carved stamps printed on newsprint...a trial run to see if I like the image

The cut linoleum block itself

The stamp printed on a stark white mini thrown ceramic vase 

The real Gusto- the "Sookie" Stamp printed on one of my thrown mugs

Thats all for now folks!

Look for an upcoming blog on the Process of Lino Block Prints on Ceramic Ware

Thursday Night at Pottery Alley: Our Kickin Students (Part 1/3)

Many walks of life tread through the welcoming doors of Pottery Alley, whether for the love of art or for the desire to instill a new and creative hobby. No matter the reason we are all here to get Muddy. I have poked, prodded and pounded our Thursday Night Handbuilding and Wheel students into fessing up some juicy detail so that you readers out there who have never experienced the wonders of clay may see that it doesn’t take an artsy type to become an artist. We mold you into one creative machine….pardon the irony there.

Kelli Ka-Slam Smith           

Comes to us from: the good ole city of New Iberia; born and raised.

What does she do for a Living: She’s an Assistant Project Manager at JC Construction.

Her Background in Art: She grew up with an interest in the arts; taking classes in middle school and with local New Iberia Artists. She continued her love into college. She graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2007 with a degree in Architecture and Design. Her dream is to make a living as an artist and she’s paving her way via an at home studio and online shop on Etsy. Check out her store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/kellismco. When she’s not making inspired sculptural works she’s painting custom Toms, purses, bracelets, pot planters and more. Follow her blog at http://kellismco.blogspot.com/ or check out her website at www.kellism.co.

How long has she been with us: 2 months and counting

Who inspires her artistically: Sculptor and Painter Alberto Giacometti and Vincent Van Gogh; esp. Starry Night!

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Kicking derriere and taking names..in the most polite way possible.

Some of her work: (pictured below)

Amanda Hopkins           

Comes to us from: Venus (otherwise known as Lafayette)…her husband from Mars.

What does she do for a Living: She is the bookkeeper at Pottery Alley. Has a Bachelors from UL in Psychology and a Masters in Library Science and Information Studies from Florida State University.

Her Background in Art: She took up an interest with clay after taking 3 sessions with Bryce Brisco at Pottery Alley back in the day. She’s been hooked ever since.

How long has she been with us: 1 yr plus 3 sessions back in the day with Bryce (you hunk)

Who inspires her artistically: Vincent Van Gogh, Salvador Dali, Scott Radke and Pablo Picasso.

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Her wicked laugh and most wonderful monster mugs.

Some of her work: (pictured below)

Kelly Huntsberry           

Comes to us from: the small but great city of Abbeville…she travels just to see us!

What does she do for a Living: She is an Independent Living Skills Instructor at Affiliated Blind of Louisiana.

Her Background in Art: She may not dub herself the most creative, but she’s definitely a right brained kinda gal. She’s tried her hand in many extracurriculars: from tennis to violin to jewelry and now to ceramics..this girl one well rounded lady.

How long has she been with us: 6 beautiful months

Who inspires her artistically: “Anyone that can draw a straight line”

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Her keen sense of patience and a knack for detail and craftsmanship in her work. She can get into the “zone”.

Some of her work: (pictured below)

Melissa Nero Boudreaux           

Comes to us from: the lafayette suburb of Scott, La!

What does she do for a Living: She is the very friendly Assistant Body Shop Manager at Hub City Ford

Her Background in Art: She needed a creative outlet, found us in 2007 and learned the wheel and now she’s back with a zing! She took class with her Sister Sarah Anne and he daughther Alyssa Boudreaux! She’s often inspired to make garden and outdoor decoration for her home.

How long has she been with us: One session with Emily and now two with us this year!

Who inspires her artistically: Ceramicist Lena Liu

What she’s most known for in the Studio: Her festive Garden Pieces

Some of her work: (pictured below)