Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Wilkerson.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I learned the art of ceramics my sophomore year of high school. My teacher, a more experienced potter, was and still is extremely passionate about art as a way to worship God. Her passion encouraged me to grow in the art form more after high school; I eventually revisited with her in her home studio because I missed throwing so much. After getting my hands dirty for the first time in over a year, I remembered just how much I enjoyed working with clay. The tranquility it brought to me was something I didn’t realize I needed. Not long after, with her help, I bought a great used wheel of my own and fixed it up, this was in November of 2017. My dad had bought a small kiln for my brother, Ethan, to heat treat his knives, and thankfully I was able to use the kiln also. I began creating mediocre pieces just like in high school, but I was so proud to say I did them myself, in my own studio. I watched countless hours of videos on how to improve this skill, refusing to let my impatience get the best of me! Slowly I saw great improvements in each batch of kiln loads. It took a few months, but my parents, friends, my previous art teacher/pottery mentor, boyfriend, grandparents, etc. showed so much love and support that I really began to believe in my artwork. I finally felt good enough to sell it! By June of 2018, I had been working so much at my retail job that I was struggling to make the time I needed to in order to let my side business take off. With the incredible support of my parents, I was able to leave that job and focus on my business. I was able to take a chance that I knew I’d never have all this time for again! Over this past summer I have watched my business grow immensely; even though it still has a long ways to go, I feel so blessed to be where I am today. I love what I do, and not everyone gets to say that!
Please tell us about your art.
I am a potter, and I love telling people that because sometimes they don’t recognize what I’m saying. I get to explain what exactly I do and how I do it. I usually get the responses like “oh so you do that thing on the wheel?” with some sort of funny hand motion in a circle. It’s a great opportunity to explain why it’s such an appreciated art form, not for my own glory, but for all those other potters out there who have left their jobs like me to pursue a happier life. Not everyone understands the patience it takes, the pouring of your heart into each piece, the dry hands and dusty clothes, and every other beautiful aspect of the process. It’s a therapy I believe many people should try their hand at. The process is rewarding, sometimes frustrating, educational, and so exciting. Being able to drink or eat out of a dish you made with your own hands?? That’s pretty amazing. I hope everyone who sees my work or even purchases from me can feel the love I have put into the details of each and every piece, and hopefully, they can spread the love and appreciation for this incredible art form to more and more people!
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Do not let yourself get too focused on perfection. Art is completely unique to every person, and flaws are signs of uniqueness of the artist, and it shows the fact that it’s handmade! That’s the beauty of this all. Find your own style from your own imagination and create your own brand that makes you different. Take that and run with it!
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have an Instagram (@kilnfiredbykelly) and a Facebook page (Kiln Fired by Kelly) that I regularly post on. Instagram is more fun and interactive to me because I can easily post on my story and more people view it and ask questions or just make comments. I’ve met so many awesome people through there from all over the world. The handmade community on Instagram is the most supportive and encouraging place to be!! I also have an Etsy page (kilnfiredbykellyshop) that I update as frequently as I can with new beautiful items for sale. The link to this page can be found on both my social media business pages!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KilnFiredbyKellyShop?ref=search_shop_redirect
- Phone: 678-863-2205
- Email: kilnfiredbykelly@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kilnfiredbykelly/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Artist/Kiln-Fired-by-Kelly-1532211373552627/
Image Credit:
My Instagram @kilnfiredbykelly
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