Meet Carolyn Ford

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carolyn Ford a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Carolyn with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

My parents instilled the idea of strong work ethics as a southeastern regional point of pride, especially Tennesseans. We are known as the Volunteer State. Not only did my parents work hard, they helped others. My mom perpetually said, “if you’ve got time to lean, you’ve got time to clean.” My mother has been called bionic. She can outwork anyone I know, solve problems, build things, and keep such a clean house, you could white-glove test it. In order to convince my family to become a studio art major, I had to prove my value through hard work and productivity.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

As a Professor of Art at Limestone University, a small liberal arts school, I get to teach a wide range of studio courses. This allows me to stay fresh in drawing, painting, and ceramics as well as other specialty courses. While mentoring to my students, I maintain an active exhibition schedule and studio practice. (Tell me if you need more of a bio/where I’m from, etc).

While I was predominantly creating black and white sgraffito low relief tondi, I switched to colorful platter forms after using Laguna materials during my residency at Mission Clay Art & Industry in Phoenix, AZ. Ever since, I have been partnering with Laguna Clay through the testing of their new Silky Underglazes to demonstrating during ceramic conferences. Public art created during my residency can be seen in the Rail Arts District in Napa, CA as part of their Terracotta Corridor.

Although I have several series of art, my current research has been related to illustrating colloquialisms, especially phrases from the south that seem to be disappearing. Origin stories of slang help us understand heritage. We can make and break stereotypes through art. I choose humor as I attempt to immortalize some of our more irreverent expressions as I paint imagery with underglazes on platter forms. The platter represents home and ceremony, form and function. (Holler if you need more or specifics or a different tangent. THe students keep popping in for help.)

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Be willing. Now that I teach future artists, I can see what prevents one from flourishing. One of the major roadblocks is stubborn refusal to try new things, evolve if you’re in a rut, take advice even if you think it’s bad, or use critique as fuel to try harder. Is it a style or a comfort zone? A project will seem like work if you don’t want to attempt to solve the problem. The project isn’t boring, you are being boring by not thinking outside the box. Students and artists with intellectual curiosity and willingness to engage and absorb like a sponge, will maintain the play/exploration phase. Artists that are hard on themselves will continue to do better instead of cruising on what worked at the moment. We must also be willing to fail. Apply apply apply to exhibits even when a few rejections happen. I tell my students, “a player isn’t a player unless they try.”

2. Work hard. There’s a quote by Kevin Durant, “Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.” A gallery does not want to represent an artist who has done one piece. One try doesn’t make you a master. One idea doesn’t equal a series. A style isn’t a style if you can’t replicate it. If you have 100 works of art, only choose the best. If you love it, it won’t seem like work. If you love it, it’s hard to not create.

3. Community and Connections can make (or break) you. The art world is a small community; therefore, we need each other. You can’t afford to burn a bridge. When we prove our worth to others through work and work ethics, they often open doors for new opportunities. I am extremely grateful for previous professors and coworkers that have passed my name for commissions, exhibitions, and workshops. It’s a pay it forward situation for many of us when we see the talent, skills, and drive. Be willing to get to know people outside your personal circle even if you are a studio vampire. Go to fellow artists art receptions, be involved in the local art group, support the music, dance, & theatre scene. Be involved in your non-art community as well. We need each other.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

My biggest challenge is trying to find balance. It’s not simply a work/life balance. If life includes family, studio time, and personal wellness, how can we fit it all in? Artists often sacrifice personal wellness when we get into the zone. My poor family will be ghosted if I’m in the studio. I now have to tell myself that I need more than four hours of sleep, gym time is important, family needs some me time, and not making art everyday is alright if I’m using my downtime for inspiration. I struggle with saying “no” to unnecessary requests because I want to connect with everyone.

Set aside required studio time. Don’t beat yourself up for taking downtime. You need it all.

(Side note. A few years ago, I was on a professional streak. Opportunities were striking hot. I overextended, was stressed beyond belief and got facial paralysis! I had three months to get my face back to working and complete new works before I was to be a demonstrating artist for Laguna Clay at the National Council on the Education of Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference. Realizing I could loose my eye and or have a stroke was a wake-up call.
Side side note: Health and wellness…let’s talk. I’m an old lady lifting weights. It’s been a big change.

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Image Credits

Carolyn Ford

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