Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenzie Domalik.
Hi Kenzie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with clay started during my junior year of high school. I took beginner and intermediate ceramics class and was immediately hooked!
After graduating, I didn’t work with clay again until several years later. I had a craving to dive in and really learn the craft. So I bought a cheap wheel online and got muddy. I learned through generous creators on YouTube and Instagram, and of course through many mistakes!
About three months after this, I started sharing what I was making on Instagram and started sculpting shortly after that. To my surprise, my process videos and posts gradually started seeing more eyes.
I decided to start selling my work in the beginning of 2021 and now I’m preparing for my first release of new work this year! It’s such a vulnerable feeling putting such personal extensions of yourself out there for the world. I’m always humbled and honored by how they’re received- it feels surreal.
I’ll be approaching my two years clay anniversary this summer! It’s been such a fulfilling experience that I couldn’t imagine living without. I’m so deeply grateful for this opportunity to create and do what I love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The process of learning a new skill and starting a business is always a bit bumpy! Everyone starts at the very beginning and it was definitely intimidating for me.
Entering a space that was already brimming with well-established and extremely talented ceramic artists brought some of my imposter syndrome out. I’d have thoughts like, “Am I really the right person for this? I don’t feel like I have anything new to offer.”
Pushing through some of the mental barriers has been the hardest part. I’m still peeling back layers of myself that have doubts and feel small or incapable.
The experience of being a beginner and starting from scratch came with a lot of long hours, failed pieces, and mistakes. I’ve also had to become okay with work not being received the way I thought it would be. Social media can be draining and it’s an area I’m continuing to set boundaries in.
I’m very grateful it has been overall pretty smooth though!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a ceramicist (clay artist) who specializes in functional, sculptural art. I like my work to be as useful as it is visually pleasing. I make mugs, planters, incense holders, and other goods that hopefully bring a little magic and joy to the homes they live in!
My incense-smoking animal sculptures are what brought a lot of people to my work. Snakes were a subject matter I primarily worked with for a while because I love their symbolism of rebirth. Since then, I’ve expanded into working with more wildlife and human forms!
I’m inspired by all things mythical, mystical, ethereal, earthy and weird- so I try to allow that to be translated through everything I make!
I think what sets me- and every other artist- apart is that my work is an original expression of me. Each piece is infused with my unique life experiences, passions, emotions, energy and concepts.
I like to think of each human as a melting pot. Every sight, sound, taste, smell and experience in our life gets poured into this pot. No two pots are the same! If you can tap into that melting pot within yourself, you will create art that is both potent and original- because it’s YOU!
That’s one of my favorite things about collecting art- I get to directly connect with the artist through their work.
I’m most proud that I’ve broken down the internal walls that prevented me from dipping into that well of creativity within me. Getting to clearly express the deepest parts of your being is a feeling I can’t describe, it’s wonderful!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in Washington state where it’s generally quite cold except in the summer.
I was born in the summer, so naturally I looked forward to summertime most because it meant celebrating my birthday and not having school for a couple of months.
A memory I experienced many times over was the smell and sound of Washington summer mornings. The birds would always sing a certain song, the grass would be dewy and the smell of all the summer plants was intoxicating.
The scent of the warm sun beating down on a forest of pine trees? There is truly nothing more heavenly to me.
Ahh. It brings me ease and peace just to think back on it. In the presence of all these things, I always knew I was going to have an amazing day playing under the sun. I hold that feeling so close to me.
Pricing:
- Mugs: ~$200-350+
- Incense smokers: ~$400-2,000+
- Planters: ~$300-500+
- Vases: ~$400+
- Cups: ~$100+
Contact Info:
- Email: soulsticeceramicss@gmail.com
- Website: https://soulsticeceramics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulstice.ceramics/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@soulsticeceramicss?lang=en
