We were lucky to catch up with Tennyson Corley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tennyson , 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?
Albert Einstein said, ” Creativity is seeing what everyone else has seen, and thinking what no one else has thought.” Creativity doesn’t die. It’s always there,… but it needs to be nurtured. In my practice, I need time to formulate my move. Sometimes that is sitting and watching the world around me in my garden or on a walk. Sometimes a spark comes from a story, folklore, a memory, or a lyric. But the main thing I need is simply time alone with my thoughts to just…think. And to not feel guilty, because it can look like you aren’t working, but as a creative, going through the motions of life is working. Always thinking of the next thing, connecting thoughts, and developing an idea. Playing images in my head on repeat, until I see an idea formulate in a way that hasn’t been formulated in that manner before. My creativity stays alive, it thrives, because I am always wondering, thinking, visually sketching out ideas. As long as I keep my eyes and mind open, creativity will weave its way in to my life if I ask it to or not.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a full time sculptor creating what I coin, ceramic illustrations. I make anthropomorphic creatures and I am also known for my slugs. Yes, what most people consider the gross, slimy critters from your garden. But mine are more sophisticated, sporting intricate patterns and enchanting glaze techniques. Currently, I am working on growing the scale at which I sculpt. Think monster size slugs coming soon. In conjunction with that, I am preparing for a solo show with the Public Works Art Center in Summerville, South Carolina set for November. Also, in November, I will be teaching my first sculpting class. Being a self-taught sculptor, this is big and exciting. I am currently represented by Shain Gallery in Charlotte, North Carolina. And I am also an arts contributor for Pepper Magazine based in San Antonio, Texas.
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?
That’s a tough one. I would have to say my strongest quality that was impactful towards my journey would be my perseverance. I hate to quit something. I rarely do. Next to that would be my ability to visualize what I want, and third would be my ability to experiment and pivot. I was always drawn to art. I knew I wanted to make art from an early age. Each time I had a road block, I knew I needed to figure out a new path. I kept experimenting. Searching for my voice, and so far that has worked. The past two years have been a whirlwind.
For you who are just starting your journey, don’t settle on one thing. Be adventurous! Visualize what you want and pivot when needed.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I think presented with the right opportunity, collaborating with others could open the door to bring in new ideas or facilitate larger concepts and sustainability.A good amount of time working as an artist is solitary. Working in collaboration opens up the opportunity to grow your network and pose thoughts and ideas that would have been missed working as a singular entity. I can’t pigeon hole my ideal collaborator. Sometimes the best things are the least expected. I would love to work with another sculptor artist where we merge our two ideas in an avant garde way. Maybe with a business to create a giant sculpture. A book keeps floating around in my mind, but what if I just need the right person to bring it to fruition? Or even work with a pattern designer featured on a series of my slugs. The possibilities are endless. It just has to be the right person and the right mash up.
Contact Info:
- Website: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tennyson_corley_art
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/TennsonCorleyArt/
- Other: http://www.shaingallery.com/tennyson-corley
