Today we’d like to introduce you to Nesreen Alawami.
Nesreen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Saudi Arabia many moons ago, the youngest of ten siblings. I have always been interested in art, mainly drawing and crafts. I begged my dad for a pottery wheel when I was younger and his answer was “ok, ok later, later.” I came to Houston after high school to attend college, Houston Community College then the University of Houston. I finally had my chance to play with mud during my last semester as an undergraduate. I fell in love and still have the majority of the pottery pieces that I made at that class. I graduated with my Masters in Communication Disorders and currently work as a senior Speech Language Pathologist at Houston Methodist Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, I have always wanted to get back into pottery and my wife surprised me with a four-week pottery class at Foelber Studios. Well, that was nine years ago. I currently work mainly out of Foelber studios, but I have recently bought my own wheel at the Hardy & Nance studio that my wife and I share. I hope to be able to work out of my own studio soon. I enjoy hand-making mugs, bowls, and lanterns. I love vibrant colors and encompassing my middle eastern heritage in my pieces.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Finances have always been limiting to being able to do pottery. I had to get established at my current job before I can attend to my hobby. It’s been a long time coming but it was worth it. I would not have been able to make it if it wasn’t for my wife, Noelia’s support through my journey.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I work mainly on unique pieces of pottery. I hardly have two pieces that look exactly the same; not to mention that’s difficult in pottery. I enjoy working with porcelain clay and use the vibrate cone five/six glazes. I am proud of the growth that I have seen in my style and my pieces. I take care in making every piece especially commission pieces.
What were you like growing up?
I was a wild child. Growing up as a female in Saudi Arabia with all the social and religious restrictions, I liked to push the limits. If you wanted me to do something, you just had to say “you’re a girl, you can’t do that.” I had to prove them wrong. I enjoyed food and music and still do. I loved to work on art in between studying. My dad pushed us to be the best that we can, which meant you had to answer to him if you made anything less than an A in your classes. He allowed my sisters and me to travel to Europe and told us that he trusted us. That opened my eyes to the world and to various cultures.
Contact Info:
- Address: Hardy & Nance Studios
902 Hardy St.
Studio #15
Houston, TX 77020 - Phone: 281-235-0048
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: nessyslp
- Facebook: Pottery by Nesreen
Image Credit:
Nesreen
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