Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Kyle

Kara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

As an undergrad, I meandered through a series of majors before softly falling into art. With the encouragement of my mother, some natural ability, and a little luck, I found myself juried into the BFA ceramics program at Penn State and immersed in a world of creativity I never knew existed. For the first time in my life, I felt the earth beneath my feet and the alchemy of an energy that had always worked against me, started to work for me.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

In the months following commencement my dreamworld came to an abrupt halt when I realized that all the cute teacups would not pay the rent (or my student loans ). This dilemma paved the way to a vastly different yet exceptionally meaningful career as a Speech and Language Pathologist. I discovered something profoundly fulfilling in helping others find their voice but I will admit, despite the beauty and challenges of the job, I dreamt that path might also one day provide me the opportunity to find my way back to clay and to create on my own terms.

In the16 years that followed, I took classes at a community art center to keep my hands in clay and practiced casually for many years. When faced with dwindling therapy visits at the start of the pandemic, I was left with a void and a lot of time on my hands but it also felt like the universe was providing a new path… so I followed. I threw myself headlong into creating a completely independent home studio and online store, something I had no intentions of pursuing at the time. The launching of my pottery business is as much of a feeling of “arrival” as I’ve ever had and my 16 year detour enabled me to welcome and comfortably settle into this new space. Now after nearly 2 decades of working with clay, I find myself, an Artist.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I am a small batch potter whose creative process is fueled by curiosity and a continuous desire to experiment. Whenever possible, my studio flow is very intuitive; shooting from the hip is my comfort zone. I am enamored by aged things and memory, which translates throughout my body of work. Part of my interest resides in exploring the transmutation of latent sentimental relics and functional pottery. It is my desire to render these beloved artifacts into functional pieces, made for daily use. When I’m not creating an intentional narrative vignette, I relish in the process of cultivating something spontaneous and beautiful without the need for emotional depth or attachment to an end-result.

I am mindful of form and function and the sensory nature of those things that we hold; the way one’s fingers feel as they rest on a handle; the way a rim feels between your lips or the way a bowl feels enveloped by your hands. I am a utilitarian potter at heart, drawn to the haptic nature and physicality of working with clay. Each individual piece determines the methods and tools it’s creation requires. Though I do use the wheel at times, I consider myself to be a hand-builder who primarily uses slabs and coils as well as home-made templates and bisque molds. My aesthetic interests vary amongst earthy/rustic, a vintage feel, and ornate/extravagant with 22k gold luster accents.

What matters most to you?

I believe that energy can be transferred from object to hand so intention is extremely important in my studio practice. Working with clay is a labor of love, making it crucial that I maintain the integrity of this moving meditation. If I have a project that needs to be completed and I’m not in the headspace to work on it, I search to find a place of gratitude and groundedness before touching the clay. Whether it’s taking my dog for a walk or listening to a certain playlist, my mindset as I’m creating is a priority.

Clay offers both an outlet and an opportunity to create a connection that is more intimate than many other mediums. The rim of a cup touches your lips as you sip your morning coffee and a serving dish cradles a meal that you lovingly cook for your family. Something that’s so much a part of me also becomes a part of others, enlivening their rituals and routines.

Pricing:

• My pieces range in complexity and price. Custom mugs can cost upwards of $300 whereas a simple cafe mug is $38.
• The addition of 22k Gold luster accents requires a 3rd firing and I spend a great deal of time on some of the detail so that will increase the price of an item, as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.karakyleceramics.com
• Instagram: @karakyleceramics
• Facebook: @karakyleceramics

Image Credits

Images 1-4 were taken by Audrey Snow Photography. Images 5-8 were taken by Kara Kyle.