Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Beth Elkins.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
My journey as an artist started as a child and is constantly evolving. I grew up in a very artistic and creative family and was constantly exposed to all forms of art. I went on to spend my college years soaking up all different mediums in the art program at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The studio I couldn’t stay away from was, surprisingly, Ceramics. I had a fantastically eccentric and deeply interesting professor, the late Phil Dunham, and with him my passion for clay grew and grew.
I immediately went into teaching at the high school level in a Houston-area school. My environment was undeniably unique, and I don’t take one minute of my teaching experience for granted. The district I worked for required quite a bit of my time outside of school hours, and I spent a lot of time with fine art experiments and research. While exploring so many new things, my own work took on a life of its own. After six years of teaching Pottery, Intro to Art, AP Studio, and Graphic Design, I decided it was time to move on and explore my own path as an artist. I am now a full-time potter working from my home studio. My passion for clay is a love story, and I am so thankful I’m allowed to live it every day. I can’t wait to see where this clay world takes me!
I predominately make functional items, all-wheel-thrown and hand-decorated stoneware. I’ve always been told my work is not traditional, and although at first, I was apprehensive, I’ve grown to appreciate that. I’m not like everyone else, and that’s a GOOD thing! I’ve always enjoyed trying and applying new techniques and color schemes and will forever work in that manner. I most enjoy creating custom functional work and doing my best to build bridges between a customer’s vision and the final product. A handmade mug is the type of piece capable of telling a multitude of different stories. From the many hands that hold it, to the years of life and early mornings it witnesses, a mug is special, lucky enough to also be a piece of art.
Please tell us about your art.
I predominately make functional items, all-wheel-thrown and hand-decorated stoneware. I’ve always been told my work is not traditional, and although at first, I was apprehensive, I’ve grown to appreciate that. I’m not like everyone else, and that’s a GOOD thing! I’ve always enjoyed trying and applying new techniques and color schemes and will forever work in that manner. I most enjoy creating custom functional work and doing my best to build bridges between a customer’s vision and the final product. A handmade mug is the type of piece capable of telling a multitude of different stories. From the many hands that hold it, to the years of life and early mornings it witnesses, a mug is special, lucky enough to also be a piece of art.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Never stop experimenting and give all of your wild thoughts a try! Not all of them will make it to the finish line but it’s so important to keep trying new things! Learn from your failures. Have confidence in yourself and your ability to create from the heart. Having a positive level of self-esteem and a killer work ethic are the best credentials for a successful artistic career.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The majority of my current work is available on my website, www.sarahbethpottery.com.
To shop in person, you can visit the following places:
Art for the People Gallery in Austin, TX
Saltbranch Outpost in Fredricksburg, TX
Main Street Cafe in Lockhart, TX
Hippo in New Beford, MA
Purchasing handmade artwork from a small business like mine is the best support I could ask for! Follow me on Instagram to see the latest news!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sarahbethpottery.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahbethpottery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahbethpottery/
Image Credit:
Photos by: Sarah Beth Elkins.
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