Today we’d like to introduce you to Doni Langlois.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I remember using pine needles to define the space of the “clubhouse” that my friends and I would use on the playground in elementary school – I didn’t realize then that I was floor planning! Later, I would arrange all of the glass blown animals that I kept displayed in a large birdcage in my bedroom over and over again so that they all fit well and were organized so that each had a decorative and beautiful space. During high school, I got to work in a stained-glass studio that allowed me to see how color, design, and art intersected with interior design. These things and more led to me creating artwork for HOW something will look in a space as much as for narrative.
Please tell us about your art.
I’ve tried and loved many kinds of artistic expression mostly in the interior design field – but clay is the one that intrigues me the most – the one medium that keeps me curious and striving for the next idea. I love that I can create something of use as well as sculptural or narrative work. My friends and family think I’m a little weird, though, that I smell my clay – I love the way the wet mud smells.
Unlike many potters, I don’t work on a wheel. I find that my nature is to construct and organize- sort of like floor planning in elementary school. I like to build my work in sections. Most of the time I create flat slabs of clay and cut, tear, imprint and bend the clay into the desired shapes, joining additional layers until the end result is achieved. I tend to leave seams and even accentuate them with texture so that the methods of joining the show. All of these areas of texture, these pushed and pulled spots, show up prominently in the way that I finish my pieces. I prefer an aged look, and matte finishes over a shiny glossy look.
My functional pieces tend to have a little attitude a little whimsy. I like to create things that make a statement with texture and color though not everything has to match or be serious. A quirky olive oil bottle or a vase with its arms on big hips makes me pretty happy. If I can add a little surprise color or a piece of unexpected clay somewhere – all the better.
In the way of narrative work – I’m moved by our emotional journeys like most artists. I like using the heart symbol as a way to show those stories. Crusty finishes with bright hopeful birds, butterflies and dragonfly patterns or wall hung hearts made with interior altars are some of the ways I show those ideas. I feel like those journeys are something we all share as humans. Garden totems have several pieces stacked and each them have to do with a theme. The circle of life or the wheel of life is a common one for me – again our journeys as humans as we go through our various stages of emotional growth.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
I think I would have liked to have learned earlier that self-doubt is just a little piece of what comes with a whole bunch of good pie. Most of this work is in the doing – and you have to create every day. Not all of that creation is good or will sell or will touch people or make it through the kiln firing! But then, there are the things you make that sing! And that has to be good enough or you need to do something else.
Also – there’s always some part of any job (and this IS a job!) that is undesirable! Make sure you’re willing to do the undesirable stuff in anything you choose to go after – I’m more than happy to wedge clay and mop mud if it makes my studio clean, so I can do more work. Clay in my fingernails doesn’t bother me but I know some who cringe at the idea – you got to be able to do your version of clay under the fingernails.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I have a studio/showroom space at Winter Street Studios – Studio B5 – 2101 Winter Street Houston, TX 77007 We have “open studio” events on the second Saturdays of each month with several other events throughout the year. I’m available to meet there by appointment any other time.
Oct. 6, 4-9PM Fall Biannual Art Stroll at Winter Street and the surrounding Sawyer Yards Art District – Studio B5.
Nov. 3, 10 AM to 5 PM Heart made Art Market at Main Street Square.
Dec. 1, 4 – 9 Sawyer Yards Holiday Art Stroll – Winter Street Studios B5.
I’m fairly regular at posting photos of new work on Facebook and Instagram and have sold pieces right from there through private messages. Feel free to contact me if you see something you like. I also have a small amount of work at Fiora Fine Crafts in Old Town Spring on Gentry. My website is updated with a list of current shows and events throughout the year. I can be reached by email for what’s in stock info, custom orders, and appointments.
Contact Info:
- Address: Winter Street Studios B5 2101 Winter Street Houston, TX 77007
By appointment ( call or email me) or on second Saturdays - Website: www.artfullifeclay.com
- Phone: 281-788-6872
- Email: doni@artfullifeclay.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/artfullifeclay
- Facebook: facebook.com/artfullifeclay
Image Credit:
Priscilla Shontz (photos of Doni), Doni Langlois
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