So here we are on my first entry of Meet The Maker. I get lots of messages and emails asking questions about… Me. I do love sharing with all of you, so I thought this would be a fun way for you to get to know the hands, heart, and person behind the pottery. Let me know what you think and tell me what you would like to know.
Upon writing this, I will be 40 years old VERY soon…. like tomorrow. My birthday is March 28, 1979. To be honest I really thought 40 would feel different, like I would have my shit more together or something. But no, I still feel like I am figuring things out. The only difference is that now, I have accepted that I will never have it “figured out.” Life is all about figuring new things out as things unfold, and I like to find the happiness in all of it, as this is all we are given, and it is up to us to create the life we want out of it.
As a kid I was always “creative” and I liked to make things. The thing is, I am terrible at drawing, painting, anything of that nature. I don’t know if I never gave it enough of a chance or if its just not in me. I probably also got frustrated easily as a straight line is not something I can do. I have shaky hands, always have. Always the first one out when playing Operation, and never destined to be a surgeon. When I show people that my hands shake a bit, and then I see the look on their faces, I realize its more than just a bit.
So, when I was younger it was cutting out things from construction paper, sewing and fabric work, yarn and crocheting. Anything I could make that didn’t require a piece of paper and a pencil was right up my ally. I also think apart of it was the joy and pride I got out of using the things I made. I find enjoyment in the creating, but then can relive that joy every time I use the item.
It was in 1998 that I was introduced to clay. It was through a ceramics class at a community college. At the time I was working with metals and clay was such a different animal, I was a bit reluctant at first, but eventually thought, why not just try it. Well the universe knew what it was doing when it lined me up with that ceramics class. It was love at first touch. Clay can be so many things, from soft and mutable, to leather hard and workable, to dry and fragile, to fired strong and lasting. But through all of the stages, I found clay to be very forgiving to my shaky hands, allowing me to create in life what I had only imagined and dreamed up.
Since then, I have never looked back, making dishes out of clay and using everything I create. It is through using my work that it evolves and changes, and I hope always will.
Thank you so much for reading this and supporting my work.
Until next time, keep the sunshine in your heart and pottery on your table.
Lindsay Klix
Artist and Owner of Off Your Rocker Pottery