Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Smith.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. Growing up I would often spend time camping, swimming, and sweating in the Florida heat which all deeped my appreciation for nature and the outdoors. I have been drawing and painting in my spare time my entire life but it wasn’t until I reached high school that I realized it was even possible to pursue a career in Art. I moved to Liege, Belgium in 2013 as a Rotary International Exchange Student where I was suddenly exposed to classical art and architecture. I had a mentor in Belgium who would often take me and the other students to art museums and galleries. This was the first time I was exposed to the realities of the modern art world and it sparked something inside of me. It also changed the way I approached my work which is typically inspired by natural content.
When I returned to complete my senior year in the United States I set my sights on Miami. I attended school at Florida International University where I was a member of the Honors College. I wanted to learn as much as I could about everything and anything. I learned how to work in a dark room for both black and white and color photography, I spent time working with artist Robert Chambers who taught me to weld and work with industrial tools, I learned how to make clay and glaze and to fire my own ceramics, and I fine tuned my love of painting and technical drawing. Throughout my time in Miami, I worked on several projects. I raised money for AIRIE, an artist residency program in the Everglades National Park by creating a tee shirt line that was designed by local student artists. I was involved in a RAW artist showcase, where I was able to show my ceramics and paintings. In May of 2019, I graduated with a degree in Art and a minor in Art History. Currently, I am working mainly in ceramics and acrylics but I want to continue to push the limits of mixed media in my work.
Great, 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?
I’d be lying if I said it hasn’t been hard at times but it has always been worth it. Being a student on a student budget I would often have to work with whatever I could find. It honestly made me become resourceful in my practice. Miami is also not the easiest place to live but the good always comes with some bad. It has made me more resilient but I try not to focus on all the bad things, otherwise it’s easy to get stuck in a spiral. You just have to keep moving forward.
Please tell us about your work.
As of late my acrylic paintings have all been nature-based in some way shape or form. I love to incorporate gold foil into my work, often in the eyes of the animals in a painting. I’m currently working on a series of Florida birds in flight and have already sold the first two of the series. My more fun pieces would have to be my ceramics though. I have a series of “titty mugs” of all shapes, colors, and sizes. I have a colada sized series with spoons and saucers as well as full-sized mugs. I also make different assorted incense burners including tipi’s, moon faces, and inverted mushrooms. Some of my more popular items are evil eye earrings and miniature tiger paperweights. I try and keep my ceramics loose and I want the piece to not be perfect. I believe there is something special about work where you can feel the artist’s presence within the piece and that is what I attempt to do in a refined way.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Great question. I would have believed in myself sooner and not wasted so much time doubting if this was my path or not. I also wish I’d taken advantage of the art communities in Miami sooner instead of being so intimidated. If you plan to pursue art you have to be prepared for people to not like your stuff and you cannot be discouraged or take it personally and I wish I hadn’t been so meant to myself to begin with.
Pricing:
- Titty mugs full sized 35$
- Titty mugs colada/espresso set 30$
- Incense men 25$
- Eye earrings 15$
- Eye ashtrays 15$
Contact Info:
- Email: earth4now.ella@gmail.com
- Instagram: earth4now
Image Credit:
Vanessa Duncan
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