Today we’d like to introduce you to Maria Hernandez.
Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started my business and art career by taking my first drawing class at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas. I’ve always been interested in art, but I never had the chance to learn more about it. I studied painting and drawing at first, but I fell in love with ceramics after taking my first class. I switched concentrations and learned as much as I could.
During my time in San Angelo, I was accepted into regional juried shows and finished an internship at a production pottery studio. I was able to get experience with the art world as well as learn the skills necessary to run my own ceramic studio. When I moved back to Houston, my goal was to open a business and start my own production pottery studio so that I can create opportunities for other women and people of color. I currently have a studio in East Downtown.
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?
Ceramics is not the most accessible art medium. The financial cost for ceramics is really high, namely because the equipment is so expensive. Finding a way to fire your pieces in a kiln is difficult as well. Not only are kilns thousands of dollars, but you need a dedicated space for them that meets certain parameters. It took me years to get to the point where I have everything that I need to create ceramic pieces for my business and art career.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a ceramic artist as well as a business owner.
In my art practice, I specialize in using the surface of my ceramic vessels as a canvas. In my previous work, I create functional ceramic pieces that use mathematical and artistic imagery as narrative tools. By combining these two subjects I hope one can examine the relationship between the emotional and logical viewpoints to life. In my recent pieces, I used alternative firing practices to create abstract “paintings” and was able to achieve colors and effects that I’ve never done before.
For my business, I run a production pottery studio. I make colorful ceramic pieces in the style of Russel Wright’s ceramic dinnerware. I place a lot of emphasis on craftsmanship and focus on making the pieces as identical as possible. Recently, I’ve been working on testing new food-safe glazes so that I can make dinnerware plates.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Being an artist is not easy, and there can be a lot of criticism. It can be difficult to think positively of yourself or your artwork. One phrase that always comes to mind is “trust the process”. Trust that all of the pieces you’ve made so far have given you experience, even if you can’t see it. You just have to keep going, and keep creating. Once you take a step back, you’ll be able to see all the growth you’ve made.
Contact Info:
- Email: sunflowerceramicstudio@gmail.com
- Website: www.sunflowerceramicstudio.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunflowerceramicstudio
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunflowerceramicstudio
Image Credits
Maria Hernandez
