Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Adrian Quintanar. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Adrian, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I’ve always identified as a maker. This has been a constant aspect of my life. Whether it’s through playing the guitar, photography, or working with a pottery wheel, I have always been driven to create new things. I can’t simply say that my purpose is to make art though. It’s much broader than that. As an artist, what I desire most is to share my creative practice tangibly and pass on what I’ve learned to others.
All the steps I have taken in life led me to this realization. It was watching my mother sing in the choir as a child, having twelve years of sculpting teeth in a dental lab, going to art school, and being a high school art teacher. That is just naming a few!
Discovering my purpose hasn’t been easy. Even today, that path is evolving and expanding into something greater than I can foresee, but today I feel I am closer than ever to it.
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 the owner of a pottery studio and art gallery in Keller, Texas named VIVA Pottery. I am also a working artist who specializes in creating functional pottery using a pottery wheel. In the studio space, I offer pottery classes and camps to all ages. The art gallery is always full of beautiful artwork to purchase from local artists. You can always find my ceramic work on display along with a featured local artist.
My ceramic career spans nearly 25 years. I first worked in a dental lab sculpting teeth with porcelain. After 12 years in that industry, I went to art school and quickly discovered my love for pottery. After art school, I received an artist-in-residence position at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art and stayed on as a pottery instructor and working artist for a few years. After that time in the museum studio, I moved back home to Fort Worth Texas, and began teaching in the public school system. I truly loved being a high school art teacher but always had that longing to be back in the studio making my own work.
With that drive to be back in the studio, some careful planning, and the universe working in my favor, I found a beautiful studio space that was just right for me to bring my vision into reality.
I am super excited to be sharing my craft with the community and love seeing the joy clay brings to everyone who visits the studio.
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?
Throughout my life journey, I have gained valuable knowledge from three main areas:
1. Working as a ceramicist in a dental lab: Sculpting teeth with porcelain has taught me how to work with my hands, 3D design skills, and the intricacies of firing ceramics in a kiln.
2. Obtaining a photography degree from art school: Learning how to capture high-quality images of my work has been vital to my success in effective self-marketing and social media presence. Artists and small business owners rely heavily on striking visuals. I highly recommend taking a photography class if you haven’t already!
3. Teaching in the public school system: This experience has equipped me with the confidence to lead large groups of students and provided me with essential tools for effective lesson planning.
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?
I am forever thankful for the people who have supported and guided me in my artistic career. Among them, one person stands out – Beth Lambert. She was my mentor during my residency at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art in 2018. Beth shared invaluable knowledge in the art of making pots and provided me with essential skills to run my own pottery studio. She showed me how to operate a large ceramic studio, including loading and firing kilns, reclaiming clay, sketching out ideas of forms, and critically analyzing pots. Beth’s love for the craft and her curious and playful approach to making pots have shaped me into the artist I am today. I draw upon the lessons she taught me every day in the studio.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.viva-pottery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viva_pottery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VIVAPottery/
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