1. Full Name: Cecelia Peters
2. What is your favorite art medium? Pottery
3. How long have you been working with that medium? 40 plus years…off and on
4. Do you expand outside of your primary medium? Why or why not? I have taken lots of drawing classes and have been taking watercolor classes for the last year. I also weave but it tends to be a more repetitive hobby. I like switching between the different arts, it seems to improve my work.
5. Where do you find inspiration for your art? Inspiration is everywhere! on a hike, on a drive, pulling weeds in the backyard…
6. What is the best part of being an artist? Getting lost in my work.
7. What is the hardest part of being an artist? Doing pottery in my garage during the winter. Too Cold! One of the reasons I do watercolor and weaving is so I can be inside. I also try to take at least one class at Clay Space in the winter months.
8. How and where do you sell/present your art? Besides BAA, I do a number of local craft sales throughout the year. I enjoy talking with customers and browsers–I always tell them looking is free! It is great opportunity to educate people about my pottery and to encourage those who are interested, to give pottery a try. I have also done displays at Albany City Hall and Public Libraries.
9. Who supported you during the time you decided to become an artist? Myself. But there are always plenty of supportive potters at the OSU Craft Center and Clay Space.
10. What advice do you have for beginning artists? Hmm…Financially, it will probably be a rough ride at first. Figure out how much money you need to live on and then get a job to meet your basic needs. Set goals…where do you want to sell? galleries? if so, what locations? what type of sales (craft shows, Christmas sales, etc) do you want to do? what items do you think will sell? how many hours a week should you set aside to work on your art?
Develop a timeline; keep track of your expenses and sales; don’t be afraid to change your plans or product line. People buy what they like and what they can afford. Your customers are important so treat them with respect. Even if someone doesn’t buy something today, they may buy the next time.
I am retired so I really do not need to rely on income from my art. However, I do treat my art like a business. |