Meet Ron Cloyd

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

Ron, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience has been forced upon me, through no ones fault. In early 2000, I was diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure). I spent nine months going to in center hemodialysis treatments, followed by a transplant through the generous kidney donation from my first cousin. My transplant lasted twenty three years, until my physicians discovered a cancerous tumor in my surviving kidney. After several hospitalizations, I now survive on daily peritoneal dialysis, and will do so for the remainder of my life.
Through all of the health issues I have dealt with, I have avoided the label of kidney patient, but rather identify myself as a clay artist, first and foremost.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a clay artist. I have been throwing pots on a potter’s wheel and sculpting for about 30 years. During that time, my work has been represented by at least nine art galleries. and thirty five stand alone shows. Of the nine galleries that have represented me, all but one were by invitation from the gallery director. My work is currently represented by the Craig Gallery in Palisade ,Co and the Sage Mountain Gallery in Salida, Co. My sales have been nationwide.
In addition to my efforts to keep my galleries stocked, I have found great satisfaction from as a participant in local community service organizations.. Teaching clay skills to both. adults and children, I taught adult sculpture in clay for about 3 years at the Western Colorado Center for the Arts, then later, became involved with a group called BAM, teaching clay skills to marginalized adolescents. Other community service activities that I have been involved in include 2 years on the board of directors for the Creamery Art Center in Hotchkiss, Co, two years serving as a member of the School District 51 Arts Heritage board, and I have just finished a six year commitment with the Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The first one I would mention is tenacity. Both wheel work and sculpting are difficult techniques to master, requiring many hours of practice. That tenacity can only be achieved by loving what you do and pursuing it with passion.

Another would be conquering the fear of failure. Any piece can fail in some form, at anytime during the process.
One of my early instructors used to tell me “don’t get attached to a piece until the check is in your hand, and it’s being carried away!”

The third concept I would propose is to strive for uniqueness. Remember that there are thousands of artists working in every medium. It is important for your work to stand apart.

Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?

My essential skills came from a group of clay artists that come from all over the U.S. Once I had honed my basic skills in the beginner / intermediate classes at the local art center, I began taking workshop classes from nationally known ceramicists that I thought would help me develop as an artist. These people include Rodney Mott (Penland CA) Tom Coleman (Henderson NV), Randy Brodnax (Dallas TX), Lana Wilson (Berkley, Ca), Daphna Russell (Cedaredge, Co) and Bill Shinn (deceased)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ron_cloyd
• Facebook: Ron Cloyd

Image Credits

all images are my own