Welcome to our fourth 'Meet the Maker' interview, where we delve into the fascinating stories behind the artisans shaping our craft collection.
Today we will be chatting to the ceramic artist Lisa Stevens.
1) What initially sparked your interest in pottery, and why did you decide to pursue this further?
I was immediately drawn in by the freedom and endless possibilities of clay. Not only the malleability of the clay itself, but the chemistry of the oxides, glazes and other inclusions.
I’ve always been a bit of a magpie with art media and enjoyed many different crafts and techniques, but I bought a kiln, so thought I’d better concentrate on ceramics…luckily there are so many different directions that I can explore that I haven’t exhausted all that I want to do with the clay.
 
2) Could you offer a sneak peek into a new technique or style you're excited to explore in the future?
I’ve recently made a few faces and garden-type wall plaques. My work has been abstract for a long time, as I’ve been enjoying the colours, textures and patterns, but I have an urge to make some characters or masks. So far I’ve made sculls, green men, a lion and an owl. There’s definitely more to explore along these lines.
3) What challenges have you faced in your crafting career, and how have you overcome them?
I started off selling pieces at small craft fairs, but found it was a lot of work packing and displaying the pieces, so a lot of preparation beforehand. Taking ceramic pieces to a fair or show is definitely harder work than print-based or textiles-based artwork! Not all fairs were a success. Sometimes I wasn’t selling what the customer base was interested in. It’s definitely worth researching the fair before applying!
Internet selling, especially Etsy in the early days, made it far easier for me to reach my target audience, especially with the advent of social media. It was also useful to show gift shops and galleries that my work was selling, so it was worth them taking me on as a stockist!
4) What advice would you give to aspiring craft artists looking to turn their passion into a successful career?
Do what you love. Don’t feel that you have to follow trends and fashion. If you love it and are excited by what you’re creating, it will show in your work. There are so many opportunities to connect with other people that will be excited by what you’re making.
5) Share a heart warming tale of a crafting project that not only brought you joy but also created a special connection with its recipient or the audience.
Some of my favourite pieces have been ones that I’ve installed at street art fairs. I have public pieces in Cheltenham and Portsmouth and I’ve recently installed a piece for Upfest, on the side of the Tobacco Factory and I sent a piece to Løkken in Denmark for an arts nature trail. I don’t really get to see people experiencing my work, but I know it’s there and people can see it, so that’s enough for me.
Now for a few fun questions...
6) What is your favourite restaurant in Bristol and why?
This one is actually just outside of Bristol, but they do have another branch on Bristol Docks. Salt and Malt at Chew Valley Lake is such a lovely place to spend a summer’s evening. Either the restaurant or just takeaway fish and chips (or battered Haloumi for me) in the evening sun on the lakeside. You could even go after a walk or cycle before your meal. Lots of birds to see and there was a big swathe of wild orchids about 15minutes walk from the restaurant last time I went.
7) Tell us about a book you've read recently that you would recommend to a friend.
I’m reading Grayson Perry, The Descent of Man. It’s about patriarchy and toxic masculinity, stereotypes of how a man or boy should be, and how it damages all of us. Of course I was first introduced to Grayson Perry through his ceramic work, which, to be honest, took me a little while to warm to, but I really started to understand it and his genuine love of people, all people, after watching a couple of programmes about his work. A genuinely warm, non-judgemental, humorous man.
8) Which TV series are you currently hooked on?
Sewing Bee! I love all of those types of competition shows…Bake Off, Great Pottery Throwdown, Glow Up. I love seeing the creativity of people, but these shows also have a lot of humour and the contestants are really supportive of each other.
9) If you could master any skill instantly, what would it be?
Throwing on a wheel! I have a wheel, but it’s covered with a pile of empty boxes. It’s something that not only needs time to learn, but you also need to keep practicing, otherwise you lose the skills. People who can throw well can make beautiful pieces, often pretty quickly, and also multiples all the same size and shape. I’d love to have those skills, but it would be a lot of time and effort to get to that point.
10) And lastly, where do you shop to buy your cards and gifts? High street shops, online or elsewhere?
A mixture. Some small independent shops…it’s lovely to have a wander and browse. Often shops display items which help you see exactly how you could use or display a piece. Also online. I spend quite a bit of time on Instagram, as I show my work there, and I see work from so many artists that I covet. I enjoy having an upcoming birthday of a family member or friend so I have an excuse to buy something from someone who is probably quite similar to me!
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Lisa and her intricate processes. More of these 'Meet The Maker' newsletters will hit your inbox as and when we receive them from the artists.
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