We recently connected with Meral Yalcinkaya and have shared our conversation below.
Meral, appreciate you joining 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 graduated from a good European university with a double major in fine arts. The first is Interior architecture, the second is ceramics and glass. After graduating, I did many projects in interior architecture. I worked as an interior designer in a world-famous furniture company. Somewhere in my mind I always wanted to bring ceramics back into my life. Since it was a more artistic activity, I had to put in more effort to produce it. The very beginning of this was to establish a workshop. And when I settled in Atlanta, I turned the garage of our house into a workshop. Thus, I had the opportunity to focus more on art. I design and produce. This satisfies me very much. But it’s risky because you don’t get a salary from somewhere. You make do with what you have saved for a while. Until it becomes known, and people want to buy its products.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am both an interior designer and a ceramic artist. These intertwined professions have contributed greatly to me. I can add my products to the projects I do and promote them. I started interior design work while I was still a student and continued as a freelancer after graduation. I worked with the famous furniture brand Lazzoni. Then I settled in Atlanta and did big projects here, too. I provided design consultancy. Ceramics have always been somewhere in my life. And now I’ve brought it back to light. I turned my garage into a large workshop. I make collections and give them to art galleries. I also give workshop training. And I have social accounts where I showcase these. I am happy to produce!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Some folks struggle to put their thoughts into words easily. Art lets them express themselves in all sorts of cool ways.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
The number of people who respect and are interested in art is always smaller. That’s why I started finding people interested in art and appealing to them. I feel you growing slowly. We need a time for it.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.ceramic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meral-yalcinkaya-b21a85198/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbvJ90T92704NtEetqMfFRA
- Other: Interior Design Instagram Account: https://www.instagram.com/loriartndesign/