Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Erica Recto. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Erica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I am happy as an artist for sure. There are definitely ups and downs, and when your success is contingent upon other people accepting and embracing your work it can be super nerve wracking. Making art is such a personal endeavor, so it really asks you to put yourself on the line. I make ceramics, which fall in the funny grey area of “art” or “functional design”. Sometimes both. And, as such, sometimes my creations are aligned with what’s trending but not all the time. And so you’re constantly questioning the work.
But, then there are great days when an interior designer will wander into my shop and select some of my favorite pieces for a project. Those days are so validating, because my work isn’t for everyone but when people get it they really get it. And I feel so seen.
I wonder what it would be like to have a steady routine and a job that ends at 5pm. But ultimately I’m doing what I love to do- I’d be making art anyway. Folding in my passion with my work makes me appreciate my wins even more.

Erica, 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?

I’ve always been creative. Prior to ceramics I worked in Fashion design for almost two decades. I needed a change of pace and my husband gifted me a 6 week ceramic workshop. It was life changing being able to work with my hands again, without expectations and just really let loose creatively. Shortly thereafter I left my corporate job to pursue ceramics full-time. I am inspired by organic forms in nature, as well as process and technique. I do make work on the potters wheel, but my favorite things to create are my freeform sculptural vessels that I hand build. It’s almost meditative.

I own a store -Bes – that I fill with my own work and a cast of supporting products and art from some of my dearest creative friends. Ceramics has helped me find community – with other artisans and with people who really appreciate creative work. It was my aim to create a community of and for artists, and so -through my retail space- I showcase the work of other makers and artists either by stocking them, or exhibiting their work in the gallery. I also offer workshops in store- led by me and the other artists I carry. So many people think art and handmade goods are not accessible, and by sharing the process it helps demystify it. I live in a rural area, so any opportunity to gather other creatives is really nourishing for all of us.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

So, I mentioned I used to work in fashion design. I actually worked in corporate, mass market fashion. I thought that more was more. And, when I was starting on my path as an artist/ maker, I found out pretty quickly that that was the WRONG direction for a one-woman show. I tried to scale too quickly, and gave myself unreasonable production goals. I realized that I am one person, and that my output should reflect that. I found a lot of success out of the gate, but I quickly burned myself out trying to keep up with it. I ended up shuttering and reopening my business years later. Now, my business is structured to reflect my personal goals and ideals, not just making product to sell product. These days, I’m creating at a slower pace, and following my inspirations rather than letting market trends influence my work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I pinch myself daily when i realize I’m just making art everyday. Literally playing with clay. And, folding my art into a retail space where I get to promote my friends’ work alongside it is a dream come true.
I love seeing all of our work together, and love that I get to talk them up when people come into the space because I am so in awe of their talents. Our talents. And, the most rewarding is seeing people interact with it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ericarecto.art
• Instagram: @ericarecto.art