We were lucky to catch up with Nicole Russell-Schlesinger recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nicole, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

My introduction to ceramics came at a young age while I was attending Rollings School of the Arts. Though, I didn’t learn my love for the wheel until many years later as an adult. In 2012, I began to learn the mechanics of throwing from a master potter while I was simultaneously pursuing my career in teaching. Life, as it tends to do, got in the way and I stepped away from the craft.

In 2019, my husband surprised me with a Bailey pottery wheel on my first Mother’s Day after the birth of our daughter. It felt good to be able to pick something up for myself. I would practice in our garage almost every day, without the goal of making anything in particular. The feel of the clay and the turn of the wheel somehow grounded me. Soon after, I found Terrace Clay Studio and began advancing my skills, learning from the wonderful people there. Friends and family wanted my pieces and at some point, I started a website and began selling to people I had never even met – which is a thrill, to say the least.

I always loved painting and would paint different things for people over the years. At some point it just clicked – why not combine the two?

Overall, my journey was slow but steady. And as anyone who has worked in ceramics can tell you, it is a never-ending learning process.

Nicole, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a mixed-media artist living in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. I create ceramic work as well as acrylic paintings on canvas with attached ceramic elements. My work usually focuses on flowers and nature. I have always had a love for flowers and floral arrangements. Even before I began my pursuit of a creative career, I would find myself absent-mindedly sketching flowers. My grandmother and mom would do this, too. It always felt like a special connection we shared. So as I became more engaged in ceramics, it only made sense to make flowers.

Working in two mediums, my work varies between functional and fine art. I love working with clients to make something special whether it’s a vase for an anniversary, a mug for a birthday, an urn for a beloved pet, or a bowl for a wedding gift. I also can work with clients in creating one of my mixed-media pieces based on a color palette of their choosing. I am always open to commissions for both sides of my business.

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

Buying original art and supporting living artists is something I am very passionate about. When you buy a piece of art, you are not only helping that artist continue their creative pursuit but you are bringing something with a soul into your home. We have got to stop with the mass-created big box store art. I get that original art can be expensive but there are so many artists just starting out that have amazing work at a lower price than a more established artist. Honestly, even framing a drawing your daughter, son, niece, nephew, neighbor, etc. made is a wonderful idea. Who knows, maybe they will end up pursuing a creative career one day, too. Maybe your support of their creative spirit will embolden them to follow a dream. And if you can’t buy original art, you can share an artist’s work on social media. There is so much power in social media right now and I think a lot of artists have a love/hate relationship with it but it is truly such a wonderful tool.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Of course, when someone buys my work, it is an amazing and fulfilling feeling. Something I created is going to bring joy to someone else’s home or life. What a wonderful thought. But the most rewarding aspect for me, is seeing how my daughter perceives my journey. She is only 4 years old but the language she uses surrounding art astounds me. Her love for art is beginning to show more and more and I love when she plays “art gallery”. I think it’s important that she sees her mom do something she works hard at but truly loves.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nicolersstudio.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nicole.rs.studio
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Nicole-RS-Studio/100064472841311/

Image Credits
Carrie Elizabeth Photo