We recently connected with Becky Ordin and have shared our conversation below.

Becky, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Years ago I was working the front desk at a Community Center that has a ceramic studio. At the time I was married and had two young boys. I would deliver the ceramic instructor her class rosters and would find myself lingering in the studio and didn’t want to leave. I loved seeing what everyone was making, and was so impressed by the students’ work. One day after work I went home and I said to my husband, “When you and the boys don’t need me anymore I am taking that class”. His reply was, “We don’t need you!”, and the very next day I signed up for the class. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Before my first class had started my instructor, Nadia Tarzi-Saccardi, was having a ceramic pit fire workshop, and she asked me if I would like to join. I had previously seen one of her pit fired pieces in an art show and was mesmerized by it! I wanted to know all about the process and how she created such a unique finish. I ended up making a simple heart for the pit fire and to this day it is my favorite piece.

From that moment on I would come into the studio with so much excitement and wanted to learn everything! As my work evolved I was asked to participate in different art shows, and even dabbled in a couple of maker fairs. I sold my first piece at my first art show and felt like a true artist!

Over time it was hard to commit to the three hour weekly classes while balancing working full time, taking care of my family, and all of the other social things that come up. There were times when it was all overwhelming and I felt like I couldn’t continue my hobby. Many times I would tell my husband that I should quit my ceramics class, and every time he would say to me, “no you can’t quit it brings you so much joy”. I would think about our conversations and realize he was right. It really does bring me so much joy.

About two years into creating my art my husband was diagnosed with a rare kidney cancer. Within a month of his diagnosis we were told that it was terminal, and from the statistics we hoped he would have at least 5-7 years with us. As time went on it was emotionally difficult to leave him to go to work all day, and leave our boys with him in the evening while I went to the ceramic studio, but he continued to encourage me to do my art.

One day while in the studio I had been given the theme for the next art show that I would be participating in, which was titled “Home”. As I drove home that evening I knew right away that I wanted to create pit fired hearts mounted on driftwood that would symbolize my family. That happened to be the last time that I was in the studio for months. My husband had become too sick, so I quietly quit going so that I could care for him. Mike passed away late June of 2019. From the time he was diagnosed to when he passed was just 7 months. Although it was fast I was grateful that he didn’t have to suffer for too long. No one is ever prepared for life after a loved one passes away, but I knew that I needed to be strong for my boys and lead by example. I didn’t know what to do other than to continue to move forward.

I eventually made my way back to work and the ceramic studio, but things were different. I didn’t feel creative at all. I thought maybe it’s not for me anymore, and I vividly remember my youngest son saying those familiar words, “Mom you can’t quit, it makes you so happy”, just like his Dad had said. Again, I realized he was right. It really did bring me so much joy and happiness.

I remembered the piece that I wanted to make for the art show before Mike passed away and I made those hearts a few months later. The hearts were pit fired, which has always been my passion. Pit firing is a magical day where we dig a shallow pit and fire our pieces at the beach. We wait with anticipation as our pieces emerge and are cool enough to handle. You never know how your pieces will turn out, but they can truly be amazing! This particular day felt extra special to me and I felt my creativity come back to life.

Something changed in me after my husband died and I’ve leaned into my spirituality. Two years ago my Dad was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. He had the best outlook on life, he was so strong and such a special human. During the last few months of his life I took another break from my art to support him and my Mom. I could see that he was dying despite how hard he was trying to fight. Emotionally he wasn’t ready to die, but his body could hardly hold on any longer. From my experience with my husband I was able to have the hard conversations with my dad about letting go. I let him know that even though he would no longer be with us we would probably spend more time together once he was on the other side. He made the decision to go on Hospice and passed away just a week later. Shortly after he passed there was an art show that I didn’t plan on being in, but I was informed that my name was on the show card by mistake. I happened to have something that fit the theme.  At that moment I knew that it wasn’t an accident that I was in the show.

As I look back and reflect on my journey as an artist I recognize the nudges that I have received to keep going no matter how overwhelmed I am with life. The universe has a plan for me and I have finally accepted it. This is how I knew I wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally. I still have my day job and I am about to become an empty nester, so I am able to spend as much time creating as I can. I truly feel this is the beginning of my artistic journey and the best is yet to come.

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?

For a lot of years I made my art for myself as a part of my healing journey. I rarely sold my pieces because it can take hours, weeks and months to complete, and I would become attached to my pieces through the process. I feel as though my art is a part of me, and it carries a special energy with it.

As time went on people became more and more interest in my work, and I was invited to participate in more shows. People visit art shows, galleries and collect art because the art is not only is interesting, but it brings out emotions and a special connection to the piece. Sometimes you just can’t put those feelings into words. I feel like I have a lot to offer with my art in that sense. It truly makes me happy when I see how it makes someone’s face light up or fills them with emotion, which is why I decided that I need to keep creating art and offer it to others. I sell my work through art shows, maker fairs, I make custom pieces, and soon I will have my work available for purchase online.

I think what sets me apart from others is my perspective on life. Yes I have had many hardships, as we all do, but I have always had an optimistic outlook. An example of this is when my husband was sick we spent almost 7 months grieving together. We talked about how life would be without him in regards to raising our boys and me finding love again. He genuinely wanted me to be happy, which was such a gift. Once he passed away I felt it deep in my heart that he was meant to live his whole life with me, but I have a whole other life to live. This has always given me an excitement for my future and what is to come.

I am really proud of how far I have come as an artist. I used to have the worst imposter syndrome. I remember driving to one of my art shows with my son and I was freaking out. I was asking, “Is my piece good enough? Will anyone like it? Do I look ok?”, I was about to give myself a panic attack! Once we arrived, the woman who put on the show, Susan Press, saw me right away. She came over, took me by the hand and walked me over to my piece to show me that the juror had awarded me third place out of over 50 participants! It was such an amazing feeling to have the recognition and all of my self doubts had dissipated that evening.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I truly believe that I have a special gift. Something magical that I can’t put into words. There are days when I feel like my art is coming from a higher power that is guiding my hands. Sometimes when I am making things I have no idea what I am going to create and I let my hands just work aimlessly with the clay. I have made some amazing bowls and vessels with this technique.

When I show my family hearts, “Home Is Where the Heart Is”, I have the most amazing connections with people who are moved by the piece. It has an energy about it that brings people to me who either need to hear my story or share theirs.

I have also made pieces that are meant for my own healing. Recently, I was inspired to make a sculpture of my hands holding a ball of light. As I was making this piece I was continuously looking at my own hands as I was sculpting. At one point during the process I was blown away by how much the sculpture looked like my Dad’s hands.

I decided to name this piece “The Light Within”, which symbolizes my own healing and spiritual growth. My goal is to continue being true to myself, and to continue to inspire people through my art and my journey through this life.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Shortly after my husband died my cousin had given me a book titled “Signs” by Laura Lynn Jackson. I had also watched a docuseries titled “Surviving Death” that Laura was featured in. I grew up going to church, but never identified as a religious person. I actually didn’t know what I believed in. Unknown things like ghosts scared me, and the thought of witchy stuff made me really uneasy. After reading the book and watching the show I found the stories and Laura’s intuition fascinating! I felt like I understood that there is more than the 3D world that what we see, and I knew this is what I believed without a doubt. Something definitely changes when you are able to sit with someone as they take their last breath. With this change I was no longer afraid of things that I had been fearful of.

This book and docuseries had a huge impact on my spiritual path. It has given me the confidence in my beliefs, to trust my own intuition, and follow the nudges. I most definitely would not be the person, or the artist that I am today if my life had gone down a different path. It has opened me up to be raw and honest with my feelings, and I feel like people appreciate that.

In conclusion, I feel like we all have special gifts to offer. I have learned to simply recognize the things that get me excited and that is what I pursue. It is my hope for others to do the same. Lean into your interests and follow what lights you up!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beckylynnstudio.com ~ Coming Soon
• Instagram: @beckylynnstudio
• Facebook: Becky Lynn Studio

Image Credits

Matchbook Media
Myself