Honeycomb Studio

This year a good friend of mine, Courtney Hamill, (re: gyrotonic partner in crime) did something we all wish we had the guts to do: she quit her job and became an artist. Total free-fall into uncertainty.

Trust me, I understand how hard it is to give up a definite income to chase a dream. And as is true with both of us, we never would be able to do so without the support of our family and friends.

So in-between writing (actually, sprinting away from massive writer's block), I escaped to Courtney's ceramic studio and photographed her in action. I'm so proud of all she's created in such a short time. She has a unique line of antlers (springbok deer, fallow deer, steer and whitetail deer) most glazed clear with the tips dipped in gold; a lovely line of mugs with fun and unexpected glazes; multi-colored bud vases; and, is currently working on a line of beautiful curved vases.

Here are some photos as they do more justice than words. But after you browse... stop by the website and make a purchase or two. 

Fallow Deer

 

cheese plates

springbok deer

 

steer

whitetail deer

 

After assaulting her with my camera for an hour or so, I sat down and asked her some questions...

1. Who are other artists that inspire you? 

A few of the ceramists that inspire me right now are Diana Fayt, Derek Wilson, Annette Gates and Michele Michael. 

2. Why ceramics? What drew you toward this medium? 

The tactile nature of ceramics has always been very appealing to me. The feeling of shaping a pot on the wheel, especially with porcelain, is addictive. I’m also drawn to the practicality of ceramics, compared to other artistic mediums. Ceramics is a perfect medium for a tinkerer. In addition to aesthetic concerns (what should this form be shaped, what glaze should I use), there are very practical/engineering concerns like "how do I keep this antler from cracking in the kiln," "how do I modify this glaze to get the color that I want," and "how do I design this handle so that I rests comfortably in the hand."

3. What would a dream project be? 

I’m living it! Having my own studio and working in it full time is a dream come true.

4. What advice would you give to aspiring artists? 

1) Get in the studio and work!, 2) Don't take many people's advice - trust your own voice, 3) Don't get too attached to any one creative idea.

5. If you no longer were able to do ceramics, what other medium would you want to explore and why? 

I've always wanted to learn welding and metal work. I love 3D art and metal work sculpture has always appealed to me. I would feel like a total badass with a blowtorch in my hands.

6. What is your favorite part of the workday? I'd have to say the afternoon to early evening stretch where I hit my stride and completely lose track of time because I'm so immersed in the work I'm doing. I find it really satisfying to look down at my watch and realize it's 2 hours later than I thought it was. I call that productivity.

7. How scary was it to quit your job and take the leap? 

SO SCARY. I felt like a crazy person. I still might be, but I have an incredibly supportive husband and a cheap house and I realized that being scared is a weak reason not to do something. There's a great Georgia O'Keeffe quote that says " I've been absolutely terrified every moment of my life -- and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do." I try to channel that attitude.

8. Do you ever reenact Ghost with your husband? 

Constantly. Sometimes it's hard to get work done.

Love her. Go buy stuff.

Honeycomb Studio

Courtney Hamill