Meet Sebastian Schiff

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sebastian Schiff. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sebastian below.

Sebastian, 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 think I am at a point in my life now where I have a firm grasp on my purpose, and I am steadfast in that mission and dream. Along with being an artist, my day job is as a behavioral therapist for people with disabilities. I’ve been working with this population for over 8 years. I’ve ben a practicing artist for six years. My true dream job/life situation would be to be able to combine both of those passions and “work” somewhere where I can implement both of those skillsets. In this interview I would love to talk about one half of that purpose though, which is within clay. I have a mission and a purpose within, to stay connected with the earth through clay (Im an earth sign), and to help other people create than connection and explore the healing and meditative aspects of playing with clay. But again, how did I discover this? Well, when I said I am a caregiver, I care about a lot of other things too, a lot, and sometimes to my detriment. In 2018 I was frustrated wit the gentrification going on in my home neighborhood of El Sereno. I cared a lot, I saw friends move away because their families couldn’t afford to stay; some of my favorite shops get priced out and replaced; seemingly countless McMansions popping up in our working class neighborhood.
I care, a lot. and now I know the importance of having an outlet. In that time I didn’t have an outlet, so I expressed myself on numerous new housing developments in my neighborhood with messages like “fuck gentrification”, “your house raises our rent”, “our neighborhood is not for sale”, etc. My goal was to express myself against this passive violence. To start a conversation, make my voice heard, my hood’s voice heard, and simply express my anger. Now, long story short I got caught. I got charged with two felonies, had restitution to pay, bail to pay, and lawyer fees, costing me over $10k.
The point of this is I needed an outlet before this happened, and now after that happened I needed one even more, so I could stay out of trouble until I’m off probation, and for my sanity. IT was then that I bought a 25lb brick of clay from blick and started just making things. I made some plant pots to start, smokeable plant pots. Not only was it fun, keeping me out of trouble, but it was helping me express myself. I wont be cliche and say that clay saved my life, but it damn sure kept me busy and at peace, and out of trouble.
That experience was very powerful for me. I found peace, connection with the earth, and connection with my community, and my Self. It healed a lot, it protected me in a way, and it gave me a purpose.
MY purpose now is to keep enjoying my own journey in clay, but just as important is to share that joy, healing, and connection that clay offers.

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

These days, I am working as a Behavioral Therapist by day, and studio artist by night. On the weekends and some weekday evenings, I am also a teacher at POT LA, which is a really dope inclusive, culturally aware, and just fun pottery studio in echo Park and Mid City. I am also a workshop facilitator with ClayDD, which is a nonprofit organization that provides clay and mindfulness integrated workshops to the community within s school setting, community centers, and many independent events designed to spread the joy and healing properties of clay. In my studio practice I am working on creating six collections this year and building my portfolio and body of personal work. I am so excited to be where I am in this moment, and have so much more to look forward to. They clay and art world is so expansive and I am working with organizations that I truly care about and feel aligned with. Lastly, keep an eye out for my website and online shop which will be dropping in February!

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?

MY most valuable skill has been curiosity, and persistence is a close second. I am self taught, and did not go to art school to learn my craft. I was curious, and even when I got bored and it was hard to be curious, I persisted. I built my own kiln because I couldn’t afford a studio membership to fire my work. I learned wheel throwing, hand building techniques though Youtube and simple intuition. MY advice would just be get creative in the way that you invest in your craft. You can do a lot with a little, and a degree or art studio is not necessary to get into art and the art world. Look at people around you who have what you want, if you can, ask advice from them. Be a sponge and take in any knowledge, and eventually you’ll accumulate the street equivalent of the knowledge gained in an art program/degree. Virgil Ortiz says no imaginary hurdles. If you can, try to eliminate any self imposed hurdles, lean on supports, build a strong curiosity, be persistent yet patient, and most importantly believe in yourself because if you don’t, nobody else will. But also fake it ’til you make it if you need to! Imposter syndrome is real, but you’re realer!

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Shittt, they accepted me. Growing up my Abuelito would tell me to be an engineer. I eventually wanted to be an Architect coming out of high school. When I went to college and studied it for a sec, I hated it, all the math. I switched my major within the first quarter of the school year, to Graphic Design. Eventually I decided that that was fun but not fulfilling. I didn’t know what I wanted to do so I left that four year university to go to community college and figure it out. What they did for me, was they accepted me, they allowed me to explore with no disappointment or shame. I just personally know others who don’t have that same grace, love, or patience from a parental figure, so I am appreciative of it. MY parents also taught me self determination and perseverance. I remember seeing my mom graduate from the same community college (Pasadena City College) that I transferred to and ultimately got my AA from. My dad never finished high school, but he made things work despite that. He started multiple businesses and persevered and succeeded despite that. He is from Germany, and had a tree planting business, when he moved to the states he had a moving business, he then exported rust free exotic cars back to Europe, and now has a successful antique book selling business. They have always inspired me in the ways that they persevered, even with little formal education. They were the blueprint for me that you can do a lot with a little. You don’t need the formal experience to be successful in life, and especially the art world.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @fl.our.pots
• Youtube: Fl.our.pots

Image Credits

@Williecaptureslight