Today we’d like to introduce you to Sebastian Schiff.
Hi Sebastian, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a self taught ceramics artist. I got into ceramics, at first not to become an artists, but to find peace and a therapeutic outlet after an arrest is 2018. I have been learning and creating at my own pace ever since and now sell and exhibit my work as well as teach workshops and continue to incorporate clay as part of my healing journey.
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?
In some ways it has been smooth, and in others I have hit road blocks. It has been smooth in the way that my self taught and self led learning process has allowed me to create at a pace that I create and to choose what styles and techniques to learn rather than have it imposed it on me. So in that aspect, it has been very frictionless. While my self taught journey has led me on a beautiful journey so far, there are also limitations and delays in this road. The drawback of being a self taught artist is that I am limited to the studio and resources that I create for myself. I have always had a backyard studio, and I always thought I preferred it that way. I built my own woodfire kiln, and learned that process which was fun, but also is a very laborious process. I like having an outdoor studio most times of the year, but it is tough to work with the elements sometimes, such as the col, heat, mosquitos, rain, and more! I recently did my first ceramics residency at Watershed Ceramics in Maine and it opened my eyes to the studio amenities I’ve been missing out on throughout my journey. It was amazing to be exposed to such a state of the art facility with everything a ceramicist could dream of, such as atmospheric kilns, a glaze mixing room, a spray booth, a clay mixer, and more! One of the most impactful things also was being able to create with a cohort of 17 people. Since my practice is normally solo, some times it can be isolating. I can only watch so many movies and shows and listen to music and podcasts, but to be in genuine community allowed me to create from such an encouraging, fun, and empowering place. That sense of community and belonging is something that left a lasting impact on me, and if I went to art school I feel like I might have had an even more special journey in ceramics. Overall, I consider the self taught path to be the scenic route, and even though there may be drawbacks, the journey is still so worth it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Aside from my independent ceramics studio practice, I also teach workshops and classes with two amazing organizations. I teach classes at POT LA which is an amazing poc centered ceramics studio. I also lead workshops with ClayDD which is a nonprofit organization that combines art and healing to brings a perfectly blended mix of mindfulness and clay to workshops in various communities. I also lead independent workshops in the community, most recently at my first job which was at Ability First, a nonprofit program for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Outside of the Arts, I have worked with people with developmental disabilities from the past 9 years in various environments like afterschool programs, community integration programs, overnight camps, and as a behavioral therapist in high schools.
How do you define success?
For me success i loosely defined. While I have lofty goals, I try to find a balance of expectations so that I stay grounded on my journey and careful not to fall too deep into the expectation gap. I feel most successful when I see my art have an impact on people. While selling pieces is always nice, it is not the main goal. I got into ceramics not to become an artist and become famous or anything like that. I picked up clay to find a therapeutic outlet during a troubling time. So for me, as long as I’m still having fun creating, I feel like that is a success. I also have things I want to achieve, certain residencies or galleries, or opportunities; so I do find success there as well. I guess there is also a part of me that just wants to make sure that I keep progressing and don’t become stagnant or complacent.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://flourpots.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fl.our.pots/
