Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Stocker.
Andrea, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I do not remember a time in my life where I have not been pursuing some form of artistic endeavor. I was born into a line of artists who were all successful whether it be decorating cakes or making knives. Having these artists in my family really set the stage for my life, and their success showed me that being an artist can be a career if you have the work ethic and passion for your craft.
In my younger years I had always liked drawing and making small little crafts, but I never had much experience with the 3D realm until I was a teenager. I had started watching pottery videos on YouTube and became fascinated with the potter’s wheel. My mom decided to buy me a pottery class at a local clay center for my sixteenth birthday, and that was the beginning of my 3D career. I took that eight-week class and was in love. I knew I had to keep going, so I bought myself a few more classes and started taking more art classes at school. The art department at Roswell High School was lead by amazing teachers who continued to push me farther than I thought I could go at times. I think they saw a potential in me, and really helped me expand my knowledge and excitement for the arts. When I graduated from high school, I decided art was going to be my life path. I chose to be a sculpture major at Kennesaw State. I chose sculpture because I wanted to know the potential of the three-dimensional world that I had not yet explored. I wanted to learn how to weld, how to make jewelry, and how to create pieces outside of the ceramic world.
While at Kennesaw State, I had countless amazing teachers who gave everything to make sure we had what we needed to succeed. The professors there really pushed me and made me think about my artwork in ways I hadn’t before. I created pieces that took my love for nature and visually made statements about the environmental and ethical problems that are happening around us. This theme continued through most of my undergrad work, and I see potential to push it farther in the coming years.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Nature has always been fascinating to me, so natural themes and subjects have almost always been present in my artwork. My work in undergrad consisted of themes such as climate change, illegal poaching, and coral bleaching. These topics mean a lot to me because we have a beautiful planet that is full of amazing plants and animals, but humans are continually destroying it.
While at Kennesaw State, I had countless amazing teachers who gave everything to make sure we had what we needed to succeed. The professors there really pushed me and made me think about my artwork in ways I hadn’t before. I created pieces that took my love for nature and visually made statements about the environmental and ethical problems that are happening around us. This theme continued through most of my undergrad work, and I see potential to push it farther in the coming years.
During my time at KSU, I continued making pottery throughout all four years and joined a ceramics club. My pottery never really had a style until I sat down and focused on what I wanted to convey. I knew I wanted an ocean theme, which could be conveyed through texture, color, or additive methods. I started on a mission to make 100 different mugs in all different shapes and adding all different kinds of textures and methods. This reflective process got me thinking about what worked, and what didn’t. I found a texture that I loved, and several other small things that really got me excited about my future work. Since then I have been focusing on each individual mug I make to create a better one than the last. Small tweaks in the process can really step up the look of a piece, as well as the level of craftsmanship. My newest work that I am most excited about has been focusing on coral and is almost “taking over” the pots that I place it on. Some pieces look like coral is lifting the piece off of the table, while some have a large cluster of coral growing on the front of the piece. These are the most time-consuming pieces I create, but I get a sense of relaxation while I create them.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I think artists can have a unique way of addressing events in the world today. Art is a medium that doesn’t always need words to be understood. The saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” is very true in that a single person can create a work of art that directly addresses a serious or important issue in the world without saying a single word about it. Art activism is something I always intended to do, and I am still on a journey towards that I believe. The idea of making artwork that addresses an important topic in a beautiful way for viewers to see, while also educating them, is something I have always strived for.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I currently have a website to sell my work at www.AndreaLynnArt.com, but the best place to keep up with my work is on Instagram @Andrea.Lynn.Pottery. I try to keep my followers aware of where I will be selling my work in person, as well as regularly posting pictures of my work and process.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AndreaLynnArt.com
- Email: andrea.lynn.stocker@gmail.com
- Instagram: @andrea.lynn.pottery
Image Credit:
Myself. Andrea Stocker
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