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Today, I bring you a giveaway from SouleMama Sponsor Dirty Girl Clayworks. In Faro's own words:
"Dirty Girl Clayworks produces one of a kind slipware - each piece is handcrafted - playful & bright with a variety of images & text."
You can follow along with Faro on her blog, too!
SouleMama: Tell us about your background. What path led you to the work you do today?
Faro: Well, like most folks, my path has led me in unexpected directions. I started out to be a writer, a poet actually. I spent years at university studying and publishing in between traveling and participating in political & ecological activism. I left my first degree track and my home on Vancouver Island to move to the opposite side of the country, to Newfoundland. Another Island, another coastline, another kind of family. I finished school there, with a fantastic experience and a degree in Folklore.
In Newfoundland I discovered clay. I immersed myself in it while I could, even taking a room in the house of my first teacher, and mentor, Isabella St John of Blue Moon Pottery. When I returned to Vancouver Island I shared many studio spaces, continued to write, and wondered how I would pay the rent with my Folklore degree. I finished a poetry manuscript with the help of the Banff Centre for Arts Wired Writing program, and started selling pottery at local markets. Eventually, clay came before writing and I began to use text on all my work in attempt to reconcile my two passions.
I’ve been fortunate. I fell in love with an artist/musician who supported my need to follow my heart. I am blessed with an incredibly supportive family. I had great jobs that paid well, even though they weren’t what I wanted to do in life. I left my desk job behind for good in 2004 and opened Dirty Girl Clayworks. While I have focused on creating artful, one-of-a-kind tableware, I do also find moments in which to create narrative wall pieces. I do my best to bring my worlds together, combining elements of oral narrative, folk art & music, printmaking, photography, and poetry.
SouleMama: What's your favorite part of your job? And the most challenging?
Faro: I love to hear how my pieces play a role in people’s lives. Sometimes they are for celebrating special occasions like weddings or births, sometimes an everyday favourite mug. I also enjoy making custom pieces for people – it can feel quite intimate, especially when the text or images requested is very personal.
The most challenging is the fairly constant feeling of just keeping up with demand, This summer I am fortunate have an assistant. Her enthusiasm and talents enliven the studio, bring a fresh perspective, and make me feel like better output is possible!
SouleMama: How does the balance of work and family play out for you?
Faro: Balance is hard to find!
My studio is not located where I live. Since having my daughter 3 ½ years ago this has meant our whole family goes back and forth from home to studio many times a week. While this means I often don’t get as much work done as I could if I was alone, it has enabled to me to have more routine time with my family. My daughter has a real understanding of what I do, as well as a genuine appreciation for all things handmade. She often plays “going to work.’ Where does she go? To her studio!
Of course this couldn’t be possible without a supportive partner (who not only built most of my studio, but is, especially during peak seasons, primary childcare) and very involved grandparents (yay for grandparents!).
Balance is an evolving process…
For today's giveaway, Dirty Girl Clayworks is generously offering the following to ONE winner:
~ a choice between a set of four dippers OR a set of two mugs
(These can be chosen from whatever I have in stock in my gallery/studio)
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Thank you to Dirty Girl Clayworks!
To enter, please leave a comment in today's post (one entry per person, please). Comments will close on Sunday by 8am EST. Winners will be chosen by Random Number Generator and announced here in this post by Monday evening.
Comments closed! The winner is...
love the pottery...so sweet! thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by Sue Frazier
