We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful LISA FLEMING. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with LISA below.
LISA, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Firstly, I cannot say I have completely overcome this. It sneaks up from time to time and it can take continued effort to address it. I have done a good deal of work on my thoughts around whether I am truly an “artist” or just calling myself one. Have I achieved some imaginary goal or will it remain out of reach, forever? I will say when I sit down and think or write through the question, or similarly, the question of what did I want for myself and my life when I grew up, what was my dream? I realize that I have become/achieved that and each time I remind myself I am amazed and proud and grateful. From childhood I have wanted to be an artist and when I detail what it means to be an artist, my life ticks all the boxes.
It was such a revelation the first time I sat with this fact. It still requires that I periodically remind myself though. I feel lucky to have a job I love, that inspires me, that makes me happy and maybe that is what I struggle to accept. Who am I to have a job so great? Why do I deserve it? It’s tricky to answer and it’s a constant journey.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a ceramic artist and I work with porcelain clay on a pottery wheel. Each piece is individually thrown, refined and glazed. I work alone, in my studio and handle all aspects of my business from making the pieces, glazes and colored clays to photography, marketing, website management and shipping.
My first degree in art was focused on painting and drawing and I obtained a second degree in ceramics many years later.
I am interested in many art forms and still do a good deal of drawing and creating in different media.
So many aspects of this business feel creative to me and it is stimulating to learn how to do so many things, even while it is challenging. Sometimes learning a new form of technology can be very frustrating and I wish it felt as easy as working with the clay but in the end it is rewarding to have one more skill on my side.
Currently I have a gallery show in Danville, CA at Kriste Michelini Gallery and I am preparing new work for West Coast Craft in San Francisco in November. I have work available at a few shops and Galleries in the San Francisco bay Area and sell directly from my website.
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?
For me I think the comprehensive professional Craft program I did was the most beneficial (my second degree). My first art degree gave me art skills but nothing else that would aid in getting and keeping a job. I didn’t even know what type of job I was qualified for! This is a complaint of many people with an art degree. However, the program I did in clay taught us not only to work with clay, make glazes, fire our own kilns but also to make a business plan, market our work, take photographs, apply to shows, plan and cost out a studio of our own, etc… when I finished that program I was armed with most of the skills I needed to turn my art into a business. It was such a valuable skill set.
In addition, our instructor modelled and taught us to be very quality focused in our work. Not to accept flawed pieces or seconds as acceptable to put out there along with our better work. Basically, not to allow less than our best work to represent us. I hold to this and bring my best to shows and for offer on my website so I can be proud of every piece.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
Probably along the line of the earlier question on imposter syndrome. I am focusing more on the fact that my art is a viable, stimulating career that I am lucky to be able to do.
I’ve struggled with the cultural or social idea that art is not as valid as other career choices, that it was more a hobby you engaged in when your ‘work’ was done. Perhaps it was more what I was led to believe from childhood and young adulthood, but I am focusing on the importance of art and craft in our society as how nourishing it can be to people. To see beauty around you, in your home, in your life in the form of objects is a simple but profound way to connect with our inner self. Beautiful objects can inspire peace, joy, connection, and contentment. The art does not have to be large or expensive to touch us. We all want to live with things that we enjoy and appreciate. Creating items like this, one at a time, with my hands brings a lot of satisfaction. Learning that making beautiful objects is a valuable pursuit has been so freeing and validating.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lisaflemingceramics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lfceramics/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-fleming-b71299370/
Image Credits
I take all images of my work myself, in my studio.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
