Today we’d like to introduce you to Kinsey Lane.
Hi Kinsey, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My passion for 3D art began when I was a sophomore in high school. My first ceramic sculpture was of a small sea lion. I enjoyed being able to manipulate the form in my hands and create something. It started off as a project that was just for fun, but I ended up entering it in a statewide art contest and receiving one of the top awards. This was one of my first major accomplishments, and it drove me to want to create more.
I decided to go on to hone my 3D skills by majoring in 3D animation in college. I was also able to study art history and stone carving in an art school in Italy. I got very into modeling creatures and animals and eventually moved on to pottery as well. I have always been inspired by nature and natural forms and like to recreate elements of this in my pieces.
I went on to teach art, including digital art, sculpture, and ceramics, in public school for seven years. I loved teaching but also wanted to still have time to learn and create. Eventually, I decided to build my own ceramic studio on the outskirts of The Woodlands and begin teaching privately and really focus on my art.
The journey has been great, and I have been lucky to have my work displayed in magazines, exhibitions, and festivals. I also have a built an awesome community for 3D artists in my hometown.
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?
There have been struggles during my artistic journey. For most of the time I was either in school or working full-time. It can be hard to find the time to dedicate to art after a long day. You really have to force yourself to work and set deadlines for yourself.
The road to my studio, Woodland Lane Ceramics, has had its ups and downs as well. I actually almost ended up signing a 5-year lease right before COVID hit. That would have ensured the studio would never have taken off. Instead, I ended up finding a lot and spent the next two years constructing the building from the ground up. There was a lot to learn in the construction, and luckily all of my family came together to help with the construction. My brother even moved here from Arizona to help me build the studio.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I began working in sculpture but later moved on to pottery. I like to create decorative forms that have a strong influence from nature. This can be through subject matter carved into my pieces or surface design. Art appears naturally within nature, from tree lines creating concentric rings to sliced open rocks revealing patterns of color. The goal of my work is to bring the natural earth inside in modern forms.
There is a transfer of energy humans make when making direct contact with the earth. I feel the same connection when feeling the surface of bare pottery. I preserve the natural feel of clay by adding colorants directly to the bare surface and firing within a saggar. I apply my materials in circular strokes in the same way my hands move around the piece in its creation on the potter’s wheel. This integrates the design of my surface with the form of my piece.
Experimentation is the driving force in my pieces. I throw smooth vessels to showcase the design of the surface. I learn which materials yield which colors, but there is little control over how the smoke will lick the surface of a pot once the firing has started. Smoke creates movement in the designs of the pot that are hard to replicate with a brush. Like in life, one can work to uncover patterns, but there will always be unpredictability brought about by other forces.
What were you like growing up?
From a young age, I always liked creating. I liked to build things, draw, and paint. I also have always loved animals. When I was very young, I used to always tell people I wanted to be a dog when I grew up. I’m glad I decided to be a potter instead.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.woodlandlaneceramics.com
- Instagram: woodlandlaneceramics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=woodland%20lane%20ceramics
Image Credits
Kinsey Lane
Jesse Lane
