We recently connected with Sofia Vidal and have shared our conversation below.

Sofia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I used to have a regular job. I earned my Industrial design degree when I was 22. Worked 3 years as a full-time packaging designer.
But something was not feeling right, like somehow I was missing something… so traveled to Japan to pursue my Master´s degree in Ceramics. I came back to Lima (my hometown), after 4 years of living and studying in Tokyo.
I wanted to continue working with clay in Peru, but of course it was hard making a living as a ceramist, so I got a full time job as a product designer and set up my pottery studio at the same time. It was hard having both lives, almost like having 2 husbands (lol). Product designer by day and ceramist by night. I did it for more than 10 years! in the way I got married, had 2 amazing kids and so on…
Things changed when I moved to Florida (2 years ago), I currently work as a part time ceramics instructor and studio manager, I do workshops in different Art museum schools, I have my own studio (in my garage of course!).
If I compare both lifestyles (regular job vs. artist life) I can say both are two sides of the same coin… With a regular job you have a regular income and probably enough money for your expenses, but don’t have time to do all what you want. Being an artist can give you the freedom of deciding about your schedules, but you have to be wise and manage very well your finances. So in this way, and despite the ups and downs, I believe freedom and time are priceless but wouldn’t say I am 100% happy all the time, just 99%

Sofia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sofia Vidal is a Master in ceramics design from the Musashino Art University, Japan. With a four-year training with professor Makoto Komatsu, she continued further studies in Asia, traveling to inspiring places like Jingdezhen, China, where she supported the artist in residency program at the Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute.

Back in Peru, she taught ceramics at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, and participated in projects granted by the government, working with local artisans to design ceramic pieces.

In 2011, Sofia opened her own ceramics studio in Peru, with her brand “Kumiko”. She focused on designing functional pieces because they provide a perfect balance between intimacy and accessibility as a form of art. Sofia’s work is inspired by Asian culture which led her to understand daily pottery as a joy that gathers people together and celebrates life.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Meeting different people, with different backgrounds and stories is always refreshing. It can be another artist, a client that comes to purchase your work in an art fair, or a student who was difficult at the beginning and you didnt know this person was going through a lot!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I found a book about Eva Zeisel when I was very young.

Reading about her personal story and carreer inspired me to study ceramics.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kumikoceramics.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofia.vid.baz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sofia-vidal-3394bb23/

Image Credits
Miguel Sanchez Sandra Lanfranco