We were lucky to catch up with Tiffany Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I discovered clay while in college at Francis Marion University. While walking down the hallways one day, I saw someone working with clay. I thought it was just mud at the time, so I was very intrigued. I grew up on a farm and my entire childhood consisted of playing in the dirt and mud.

I was very shy, so after walking around the building twice, I gained the courage to I walk up to her. She told me she was enrolled in a ceramics class. She gave a basic explanation of clay and pottery. I was blown away…I remember trying to hold in my excitement and finally, I exclaimed, “So basically, you get to play with mud and get graded for it?!?” It blew my mind that clay was taught as a college level class.

After I finished the beginners ceramic class, I switched my concentration from Graphic Design to ceramics and I have been slinging mud ever since.

I feel that I could’ve sped up my learning process by actually attending general education classes and getting my butt out of there! I was so obsessed with clay. There were several nights of me climbing though the ceramics room window at night to work in clay. I was very passionate and eager to learn, but I think if I would’ve focused on my non art classes instead of skipping the classes, which resulted in a brutal cycle of constantly withdrawing from them, I could’ve graduated sooner and apprenticed under a potter for several years.

Persistence is a skill that clay requires. I’ve always loved a challenge, and throwing on the wheel was a skill that I desperately wanted to learn. It takes time for some; throwing didn’t come easy to me. One day, I distinctly remember placing a piece of clay on the wheel, and voila!; I was able to center the clay and bring up the walls on the piece! It’s interesting how little, small, incremental steps can lay a steady foundation.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I create intricate pottery mugs and have monthly releases. Most of my work consists of abstract and gemstone pottery. My monthly mug releases are usually based on what challenges and inspires me. Some months are very emotional; my creating art helps me cope.

It’s hard for me to recreate pieces; I may reference different styles and designs that I created in previous months, but usually, I enjoy creating new work monthly.

My abstract pieces are emotions manifsted into physical colors and design that I place on my work. Hard brushstrokes are usually peeks into my subconscious. I love the idea of purging and transmitting emotions into my work. There’s something very cathartic about the experience.

My gemstone pieces are created by taking blobs of clay, placing them onto a piece and carving gemstones from the rough blobs. For me, this process creates something messy into something refined and lovely. I am obsessed with the idea of taking something painful and creating beauty from the wreckage.

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

I love when someone connects with my work. I love receiving messages from people who have purchased or seen my pottery and it resonates with them. It makes me feel that I am not alone in my emotions and pain.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think all people are creative. We all have something within ourselves that requires nurturing. I think all of us are on a journey of discovery. You don’t have to be a full time artist to be successful. You just have to open yourself, excavate the desire within and bring something good into the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tthomasarts.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tthomasarts/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tthomasarts/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tthomasarts
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQGWv6Y5a92MuOQwG5-F2ng