Imagine a world where pottery isn't just about mud, water, and fire. Instead, it's a canvas of self-expression and creativity that allows us to create unique works of art from our life experiences and personality traits. Sounds pretty fascinating, right? This is precisely the realm of pottery that Ashley Bevington thrives in, and we were fortunate to have a heart-to-heart chat with her on our podcast. Here's a sneak peek into our conversation.
**Ashley Bevington: The Ice-Cream Themed Potter**
Ashley Bevington, a renowned pottery maker, took us on an enthralling journey of how she discovered her unique pottery voice and how her life experiences, including a battle with a rare virus, have shaped her work.
Ashley's pottery style is distinctive. Picture this: ice-cream themed pottery. It's a blend of her personal experiences, creativity, and the essence of staying true to oneself. She uses her work to depict her struggles, coping mechanisms, and life experiences, making every piece of pottery truly one-of-a-kind.
**The Struggles and Triumphs of a Full-time Potter**
Transitioning to a full-time pottery maker wasn't a walk in the park for Ashley. She shared her struggles and the importance of having a structure and schedule to balance her creative pursuits and personal life.
One of her major works is sculptural pottery, inspired by her residency at Watershed, and influenced by her everyday life experiences. She takes seemingly ordinary moments and incorporates them into her pottery, infusing each piece with a unique personal touch.
**Discovering Your Unique Voice in Pottery**
During our conversation, Ashley delved into the process of finding one's unique voice in pottery. She stressed the significance of drawing influence from others while remaining authentic to oneself. The path to finding her voice involved self-questioning and focusing on what she enjoys sculpting and creating.
**The Art of Sculptural Pottery**
In the realm of sculptural pottery, Ashley shared her unique approach. She begins with a sketchbook to jot down ideas, then moves to the physical creation, taking into account whether she is hand-building or throwing. Ashley’s approach is a chaotic yet structured blend of creativity and technicality, always pushing herself to try something new.
**Finding and Evolving Your Pottery Style**
Ashley emphasized that developing one's unique pottery style involves constant evolution. It's about taking bits and pieces from various bodies of work and combining them to create something new. The key is to keep it exciting, push boundaries, and try new things.
For anyone seeking to find their unique pottery voice, Ashley's advice is simple yet profound – stay true to yourself. Take influence from others, but don’t let it change who you are. Keep questioning, keep evolving, and keep pushing yourself.
**Sign up for Ashley’s Workshop**
To get a glimpse into Ashley's creative process and learn from her firsthand, you can sign up for her upcoming workshop. It promises to be an inspiring experience for anyone looking to find their own artistic voice or simply explore the world of pottery.
Our conversation with Ashley Bevington was a profound reminder of the beauty and authenticity that can be found in pottery when one allows their personality and life experiences to mold their creations. So, let your authenticity shine through your pottery, because, in the end, that's what makes each piece truly one-of-a-kind.
You Can Listen To This Episode By Clicking This Link Here https://www.shapingyourpottery.com/184-the-art-of-authenticity-with-ashley-bevington-on-sculptural-pottery/
