We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Gabrielle Mozingo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Gabrielle below.

Gabrielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

2020 spring semester I signed up for a ceramics course at my college to learn more about working with clay. I really wanted to experiment with a different medium since I was mostly skilled in using charcoal and watercolors. I was unable to complete the ceramics course because of the pandemic. I realized that ceramics was my passion and if I was unable to get education through a class to learn, then I would just teach myself. I bought a wheel and watched countless youtube videos on how to throw on the wheel. I researched and studied about different clays and the cones they fire to, glaze firing, handbuilding, and fun experimental techniques. I really think that the time it took to learn the process was perfect for me. Looking back, I don’t think I would want the learning process to have gone any faster. The thing about working with clay is that there is a lot of trial and error. Ceramics is a very slow process. There are a good amount of steps to complete one single piece of work. I think the most essential skill is patience. As silly as that sounds, the clay will test you in many ways and I really think it’s a huge skill to possess for wanting to be successful at this craft. The pandemic was an obstacle that really dictated the learning process. I was unable to physically have someone be by my side and answer questions. I think the obstacles I faced at that time have given me abillities that seem fundamental to being a ceramic artist.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hello! I am Gabrielle Mozingo. I live in Kansas City, Missouri and I am a self taught ceramic artist. I have always loved art, but really started studying and experimenting with my abilities in high school. I found that illustration and painting was something I was proficient at. I could dream about having a career in art, but I couldn’t really accept the idea of that actually happening. I was thinking of just majoring in art history and seeing where that would take me. I was at Johnson County Community College when I took my first ceramic class which has led me to now. I am now a small business owner, entreprenuer, digital creator, and ceramic artist. I sell everything from mugs to sculptures to wall art. I pride myself on being a comission artist as well, challenging my skills and executing a vision with my customers. What sets me apart from others is I focus on my trajectory and work very diligently. I present myself to the world as a product of my art. My work with illustrating and painting has made ceramics much more expansive for me. There are so many ways to create and I want the world to know that I’m doing exactly what I love and excited to see my potential.

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

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist the self expression I have that connects with others. I haven’t fully wrapped my head around the idea that people have a piece of me in their homes. That some people think of their loved ones when they see my work and how I can connect with people beyond just a single person. My work becomes a part of day to day life or a self expression of someone’s aesthetic. It’s very rewarding to see people recognize my work at local shops around Kansas City and say hey I have your art in my home! It’s a beautiful thing to have these connections and it makes this all that much sweeter.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think the best way to support artists is just like understanding any other career or job. Understanding the dedication, creation, patience, and determentation that it takes to be in this niche is important for wanting to support it. I value the path that every person is on think it is vital for self expression in life. A thriving creative ecosystem is one in which the value of every artist is valued individually and collectively. Artists create to express and illuminate who they are and what they can create. The value of artists in society is incredibly valuable and cannot be understated.

Contact Info:

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