We recently connected with Albert LEtoile and have shared our conversation below.

Albert, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. 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?

I began working in clay at the age of 15 when I attended a vocational school rather than a more academic based high school. They were teaching production pottery as a trade like auto mechanics or plumbing. The program has since been defunct but it provided my with invaluable skills that I use to this day though I’m doing less production and more art.

Albert, 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?

My name is Albert LEtoile and I am a clay artist based outside of Portland, Maine. My studio is part of one of the largest antique barns in Cumberland County and I share the barn with 3 barn cats, about 20 chickens, 4 geese and two runner ducks. I do not make a full living off of my clay art and I enjoy the freedom that this provides. I’m a Sales & Marketing Director by day and an artist during my evenings and weekends. I do dream of creating full time when I retire which is just around the corner. My work is made of low fire white earthenware, is very colorful and whimsical. Most of my sales are through my Etsy shop but I do venture out to artists market when I need the face to face interaction with other artists and the public.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Two years ago I moved to an new location including my home based studio. I was without a studio for the better part of a year and decided to close my online shop until I could consistently produce again. Looking back now, I should never have done this. I lost quite a bit of momentum in sales and big had taken me another year to get back to the amount of traffic my Etsy shop prior to putting it on pause. I had the inventory, I should have continued to sell what I had on hand rather than remove myself from the market completely. Live and learn !

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of creating is the joy I see on the faces of my customers. This is in addition to the joy creating brings to me. Because I sell my work online mainly, I do not get a lot of face to face feedback. After awhile, it can feel like I am creating in a vacuum. This is when I look for an opportunity to be out there, in the public with my work, see the smiles on faces and talk to other artists and customers about my work and hear their impressions.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.AlbertLEtoile.com
• Instagram: @albertletoile
• Linkedin: Albert L’Etoile