AOTCE: As an artist, do either of you find that when others do not recognize their creativity or problem-solving abilities, they short change themselves because you can see their artistic problem-solving ability?
Jeff: Yes, as a teacher in clay/pottery for 30 years I felt that was one of my roles is to bring out my student’s creative side, even if they didn’t believe it was there. Most people stopped drawing or making art when school became more about math/reading. Kids naturally drew when given the time and a few supplies. Most stop drawing in school when it isn’t required and as a teacher, I tried to awaken this again.
Farraday: I feel that the process of self-discovery is learning how one’s creative problem-solving abilities are most satisfyingly and keenly expressed. This might be music for some, visual arts for others, practicing medicine, astrophysics, car repair, gardening or any of a host of other endeavors that call for creative problem-solving.
AOTCE: Along that train of thought, do you think students stop drawing, when someone says, that doesn’t look like so and so or such and such” and do the students understand that art does not require exact representation?
Jeff: You’re right. Students aren’t encouraged to draw anything other than representationally most of the time. My kids used the texture from the bottom of their shoes once in preschool on Olay dough after Paul Soldner came and did a clay workshop doing the same thing. They got in trouble for being creative. I was encouraged that they did something outside the norm.
Farraday: I find that people often value representational art more because it is more accessible. I don’t teach anymore, nor does Jeff, but when I did I always encouraged abstract imagery. Once people try it they generally enjoy it and they come to learn their own direction.
AOTCE: Opinion Alert. LOL. "It is always exciting to hear when children can think outside of the box. It can sometimes be very liberating and innovative. "Opinion Alert over.
You both use your painting to assist with your “way of seeing” a problem. Have either of you thought to be a painter or are you content to allow ceramics to be the artistic priority? Are either of you showing your paintings?
Jeff: Yes, I have had a solo show of both paintings and ceramic sculpture at the Mesa Arts Center 2016. I always tell Farraday she’s a great potter for a painter and she says I’m a great potter for a sculptor. Painting is enticing and seductive but clay is where my experience and knowledge base is. I’ve been doing more painting in the summers and then clay the rest of the year.
Farraday: "I feel that the process of self-discovery
is learning how one's creative problem-solving abilities
are most satisfyingly and keenly expressed."
Farraday: Yes, we both show our paintings. For now, I am content with the balance of working with clay and glaze and paint and canvas.
AOTCE: It is fascinating that you both are artistic. Does having a spouse in the arts help to focus your energies? Does that commonality make your relationship stronger and easier in in the sense that you both generally know what the other one is talking about, where work is involved? In other words, no explanation is necessary?
Jeff: Such a good question. Having a spouse in the arts has been a great benefit. We can give opinions about new work/ideas immediately and see something that the other may not. Sometimes the studio may seem smaller when we are both working on a coming exhibition with close deadlines. I know that with Farraday’s encouragement and advice I’ve become a much better artist.
Farraday: I agree with Jeff’s answer on this one. He often sees things in my work that I haven’t picked up on. It is great to speak the same language of studio ceramics and painting.
AOTCE: What is your take on the curious nature of artists and the seemly link between the sciences which also requires a curious mind?
Farraday: I think that both the arts and the sciences are interested in getting to a previous unknown by means of creative problem-solving.
Jeff: I agree with Farraday on that.
AOTCE: Could you tell our readership about the focus it took to bring your artistic vision to life?
Farraday: You’re right about focus. Somehow, when I began in my 20’s I didn’t dwell or even think much about the ramifications of leaving a salaried job in the sciences to be enter a life of perpetual financial vagaries in the arts! I was driven by an all-consuming urge, setting up my studios on a shoestring. When I moved to Arizona, most of the studio (slab roller, extruder, clay, wedging table, spray booth, etc. were all outside under a covered porch. Very hot work in the summer! I am grateful to have an indoor studio these days! There is a lot to being a studio artist that people may not realize. A lot of time is spent photographing work, working on our website, packing work, mixing glaze, and all the other task.
Jeff: Talent in any area is great but without perseverance, one will not have a long career in the arts. We have watched many talented students think they can make it after getting into one gallery or show. That’s just the start of something. It is our lifetime which shows what an artist can achieve. I’ve been fortunate to have some very successful students. Joe Woodford probably being one who put it all together and has been very successful. I’ve been fortunate to have been working in the arts for over 30 years now. I am happy to have some work in museum collections at the Crocker in Sacramento, CA and Arizona State ceramics research Museum to name a few.
AOTCE: Is having a career in the arts harder than people think especially when you are an entrepreneur?
Farraday: So, true! But it is so satisfying to be an entrepreneur!
Jeff: "Talent in any area is great but without perseverance,
one will not have a long career in the arts".
The artists can be contacted by email at indigostreetpottery@me.com
or by visiting their site at http://indigostreetpottery.com/Site/Home.html
Farraday Newsome & Jeff Reich