Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Gary.
Hi Robin, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
In my Los Angeles high school, gnarled-knuckled yet loving Sister St. Ann provided me with my first clay experience. Poof-Boom – I finished a math degree at UCLA. I began a tech career that took me around the United States. Clay and sculpture workshops were my sanity breaks! While working in the space sciences in the suburbs of Washington D.C., I met and married my husband Jim. I was also taking classes at the Corcoran School of Art focusing on pottery. Under the tutelage of neon artist Craig Kraft in his Washington D.C studio, I kept on the sculpture road focusing on neon and mixed media.
While starting our family and after nearly 20yrs in tech, we moved to Jim’s home state of Texas. I left the high-stress tech life for an artist’s life. Jim has always been beyond supportive of both of my personalities, tech and artist. My nascent studio practice was slow going and in 2003 teaching took off in the community setting of Plano, Texas. Along with teaching pottery and clay sculpture, I added fused glass classes creating a smoking hot trio of creative endeavors!
In 2013, we moved to Austin and I started working out of Fireseed Clay Arts Studio with mentor and friend Rick Van Dyke. My studio practice finally had a place to develop! I’ve participated in sculpture shows around the US including Texas, New York, and Florida. I teach out of several venues including ceramics and alternative firing techniques at the Dougherty Art Center, wheel throwing at Mud Studio Austin and narrative sculpture starting in January 2023, at The Contemporary – Laguna Gloria.
I have recently finished building a private studio in Bastrop and am excited to continue working in both Austin and Bastrop!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It helps to be a goofy optimist. It’s been a very beautiful road winding through known and unknown, heart songs and heartbreaks. For the tough times, I give myself a break from the studio: traveling, researching, learning new things, visiting family and friends, binging on streaming media… All of it helps.
The hardest steps for me were rebuilding my creative momentum after each move. For these transitions, I just put myself out there. I told people what I was looking to do. Networking with anyone and everyone at my own kind-of-slow deliberate pace. Community developed each time, which is why I am such a believer in paying it forward and backward! Give a lot, take a little and repeat.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m fascinated by extremes and the science behind the materials. I love researching and experimenting with ideas and processes. Of course, passing on what I learn is such a huge passion for me! I am excited to be able to once again push creative and technical boundaries in my studio. Alternative firing techniques such as raku, saggar, and pit firing provide infinite excitement and some stunning failures. Adventures in combining clay, glaze, metals and glass will be part of my research this coming year!
What matters most to you? Why?
What makes me smile when I wake up (aside from waking up) is showing up for the day, my family, my students, my studio mates and friends. I am an introvert who loves to share. I believe in community and hope that wherever I am, I am contributing positively.
Pricing:
- Sheepskates: $235
- Raku Ollas: $75-$200
- Raku Vases: $75-$250
- Sculptures: $45-8000
- Sheep Yarn Bowls: $105
Contact Info:
- Website: www.creativekilnworks.com
- Instagram: creative_kilnworks
- Facebook: creativekilnworks
