We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nan Wollman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Nan, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
The more I do, the more ideas come.
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 sculptor and photographer, and I teach and make pottery.
Presently, I am working on a series of mixed-media sculptures based on seed and flower forms. One was recently exhibited at https://herbergertheater.org/events/curiouser-curiouser-exhibit/. I also have two jars in https://herbergertheater.org/events/a-mad-tea-party-exhibit/. My pottery can be found at https://www.tucsonmuseumofart.org/store/.
I have an ongoing series of nature photography. I also make cyanotypes, and have been focusing on a series related to animals and climate change.
The variety of my works can be seen at https://www.instagram.com/nanwollman/, and https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=nanwollman&rs=sitelinks_searchbox, and https://www.facebook.com/NanWollman.WollmanStudios
I have two degrees in the Fine Arts, and have been creating my whole life. You can take my, and numerous other teachers ceramics classes at https://romerohousepotters.org/.
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?
What is your goal?
The artists that make the most money are the ones best at marketing and sales.
If you want design something, and have someone else make it, that’s a way to ‘do it’.
If you want to be the designer and creator, it’s another way to make art.
Getting my degrees gave me time to focus on my skills to make and develop my art. It was my foundation. I don’t recommend a career in any of the arts, but if it’s what you have to do, then do it and figure out how to survive, whether its’ an ‘outside job’ to support you, or a way to sell what you do.
Persever.
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
They paid for my education, and taught me how to save money. Not having gobs of debt left me freedom to work, and save, so I could make time for myself to create.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wollmanstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanwollman/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanWollman.WollmanStudios/
- Other: https://romerohousepotters.org/
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=nanwollman&rs=sitelinks_searchbox
Image Credits
Artist image courtesy Eric Minh Swenson, https://www.instagram.com/ericminhswenson/
All artwork images courtesy of the artist.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
