Meet a Member: Brenda Lovie
/Welcome to our next installment of Meet a Member!
We are featuring Brenda Lovie - co-president of the WCA! Read on to learn a little bit more about her and her work.
Name: Brenda Lovie
Years working with clay: 10 years
Type of work: Functional and Sculptural
What region of the state do you live: Whidbey Island
Describe your process and materials: For functional work I throw on the wheel and alter by hand. Lately I’ve been using porcelain and terra cotta. I recently learned how to make plaster molds and am looking forward to experimenting with slip casting.
What is your favorite tool: I love all my hand carving tools, especially the little loop carving tools. I also like to use garment pattern making tools as well as French curves and rulers.
How practice changed over time: I used to only wheel throw. Now I love to experiment with hand building vessels as well as sculptural pieces. I love to take classes and learn new tricks and techniques.
When/How did you get started in clay: When I was 9 years old, I went with my mother to a community
college studio to pick up some fired work that she and my father had made. I remember seeing all the wheels and people making stuff. I knew right then that one day I had to do it. 10 years ago, while living in NJ, a neighbor invited me to take a pottery class. I was hooked! (she stopped after a few classes)
What jobs have you had other than being an artist: After attending the Fashion Institute ofTechnology in NYC, I worked as a fashion designer. Soon after my first proper job I started my own business designing and manufacturing ice skating and dance costumes. I am also a Professional Figure Skater and have coached ice skating most of my adult life.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given working with clay: The one thing that stands out in my mind is, you can’t rush clay. Impatience has been and still is an important lesson for me to learn.
What is the best advice you’ve received about creativity: Make what you love and not what you think people want to see.
What inspires you: I am inspired by color, patterns and texture in textiles. I also like architecture and the geometry of things.
