Today we’d like to introduce you to Barry Gillen.
Barry, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a psychotherapist I have helped many people cross from the belief there is something wrong with themselves to an acceptance they are OK their lives have value and meaning. I always enjoyed an individual “Flight to health” when they realized their potential, and maybe, just maybe, they can achieve their dreams.
This is when I ask them “What do you want?” A serious question, not to answer without self-reflection. I tell individuals to make sure what they want is not what would please someone, mom, dad, spouse. But would please you, because it is what would make you happy. This is a hard question if taken responsibly. To make a long story short, 20 years ago after a therapy session I realized I had not asked myself that question.
I found out first hand how difficult it can be to really determine what you want. After much soul-searching waking up and believing I was an artist was my desire, and by an artist, I mean someone connected with their creativity and actively expressing it. Not bad I thought, even if I didn’t at that time believe I was creative. So like anyone my journey of creativity started there.
Today, I am an artist who access’s creativity frequently. As with all art seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, or touching is required for the experience. It took a while to find clay, tried painting, drawing, etc., but until I pulled my first paperclip holder out the wheel, I had never known a passion about creating that has continued to grow over the last two decades. I wish the same for you.
Has it been a smooth road?
Lack of knowledge has created almost all the barriers initially. Learning to rise past these obstacles of learning to work with clay has become the order of the day. Having no formal training in art, I am still sometimes embarrassed when people ask me if my “style” is by such or such.
Today, I explain my experience of ceramics is mostly self-taught and losing the fear to experiment and fail at things I know nothing about is becoming its own gift. Setbacks in hindsight have become opportunities. I call it going sideways once in a while.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Ceramic art. Hand thrown, Hand built. Making vases, cups, teapots, animals, boxes, plates, mobiles, magnets, pitchers, and carving all the above with Exacto knives. Carving geometric patterns based on the golden ratio is my current obsession. Hand painting the patterns doubles the intensity of the creativity for me.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
San Diego is not known for its ceramic art.
Pricing:
- top pieces run from 1500 to 2000 dollars
- magnets, balls, mobile run from 5 to 20 dollars
Contact Info:
- Website: bfgillen.com
- Phone: 619.284.5914
- Email: donnafaygillen@gmail
- Instagram: glazedbygillen
- Facebook: bfgillen ceramic art
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