#286 Balancing Beauty and Happiness in Ceramics w/ Claire McCauley

Take this Free Quiz to see how close you are to finding your pottery voice click here to take the quiz shapingyourpottery.com/quiz  [https://l80hrbmg3p5.typeform.com/to/tpiCqpnW] Listen in as we journey into the world of ceramics and pottery with the incredibly talented ceramic artist, Claire McCauley. Known for her unique sculptural mugs and illustrative pottery, Claire gives us an insider's view into her creative process and how she uses storytelling to breathe life into her creations. We learn about her fascination with pregnancy and birth, her decision not to have children, and how these aspects of her life influence her art. Join us as Claire opens up about her time at the Maureen Center for Clay residency, her evolution as an artist, and her use of sketching to develop her own unique voice. Don't miss our exploration of discovering one's artistic voice in pottery making, as we share our own experiences and challenges faced in creating what we think people want versus what brings us joy. Claire offers insightful advice for budding artists and emphasises the importance of enjoying the journey of creating, failure and all, as a key to finding your voice. In our chat, we also highlight the role of happiness in art, where Claire shares her belief that there is no such thing as a bad sketch and encourages us all to find joy in our artistic endeavors. Tune in for a deeply inspiring conversation and an opportunity to learn more about Claire's journey and her advice for aspiring creators. You can learn more about claire by checking out her Instagram @clayremccauley [https://www.instagram.com/clayremccauley/] Top 3 Value Bombs: 1. Importance of Enjoying Your Craft: One of the most crucial lessons from the podcast is the emphasis on creating what brings joy to the artist. Claire McCauley highlights the need to enjoy the process of creating, stating that people are more likely to buy products that they can see were made with joy and passion. This reinforces the importance of passion and love for the craft in creating a successful artistic career. 2. The Role of Failure in Finding Your Artistic Voice: McCauley talks about the importance of not being afraid to fail when discovering your artistic voice. She advises artists not to worry too much about finding their unique style immediately but to focus more on enjoying the journey and trying out new things. Even if something doesn't work, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. 3. The Value of Storytelling in Art: McCauley provides insight into how storytelling can play a significant role in ceramics and pottery. She notes that pottery pieces are a perfect vehicle for storytelling as you need to view the entire object, and it requires movement through space with the object. This shows how an artist can incorporate personal narratives or broader themes into their work, making it more engaging and meaningful for the audience.