Structure Sets Me Free

I’m a bit of an anomaly—equal parts artist and entrepreneur.
It’s a balance that surprises people, but it has shaped my entire working life in the best ways.

Over my life I’ve led and partnered in many businesses.  My foundation in business runs deep—my Business Administration diploma dates back to the “pre-internet” era, but solid business principles are timeless. My first business at nine was a cafe on our family farm where I sold my Grandpa veggies gleaned from his own garden.  I've had businesses in  catering, concrete countertops, marine operations, a bookstore, a coffee bar, and an art gallery.  I also spent time as a full-time business advisor with Community Futures, guiding fellow entrepreneurs as they built their own ventures. 

My art path has followed a similar winding road. I've dabbled in drawing, painting, print making, sculpture, furniture and light design - each one adding something new to how I see and create. But the pottery wheel was an early artistic obsession, discovered when I was 22, and it continues to be my favorite form of art today.  

Reading this over it sounds like I move around a lot, kinda random... however that's not accurate and I can be hard on myself. Some things happened simultaneously, some things were 10 year projects, some 20, some 6 months, all were valuable.

I live in a space where spreadsheets and sketchbooks co-exist. I think creatively and execute deliberately. I problem-solve with flexibility and imagination—but I always have a plan, often in the form of a tidy Excel file... nerd alert.

That structure gives me freedom.
A business plan and marketing strategy don’t box me in—they fuel my ability to create. Knowing what I need to make and by when allows me to lose myself completely in the joy of working with clay. Deadlines, oddly enough, let me dream bigger.

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on where I am in this journey. I’ve worn many hats to keep the lights on over the years, but I’ve learned that if the work doesn’t feed my soul or it drains me - the cost is too high. Pottery—making beautiful, functional pieces and connecting with the people who welcome them into their homes—does feed my soul.

I’m walking a path of discovery every day, and I feel humbled and grateful for where it’s taken me.  If you’re reading this, thank you. I’m glad you’re here, walking this path alongside me.