Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Zúñiga.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
From functional ceramics to sculpture to painting my mind is in a constant state of artistic exploration, but I am happiest with my hands dug into the soft earth we call clay. My grandmother who at the age of 87 is still a practicing ceramic artist in Colombia, is where I gained the respect and vision for my life as a professional artist. I studied at FAU where I graduated with a BFA in Ceramics and a Bachelors in Education, along the way I earned awards and scholarships for the dedication to my work. Meriting opportunities to work at Watershed center for the ceramic arts and Haystack Mountain School for the Arts. Since then, I have been working as an educator and artist. I feel the most important thing next to creating is helping to foster an appreciation for the arts, teaching not just the technical, but about the bravery and confidence it takes for an artist to put their hearts and ideas out on a pedestal or on the walls of a gallery. Watching my students grow creatively has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life and they have directly inspired me to follow my creative passions. Just this past year I started my own company Wynwood Clay & Co. inspired by the neighborhood my friends and I would escape to from the Miami suburbs over the past 15years. My mission is to create beautiful handmade ceramics and inspire others to follow their creative intuition. A couple months ago I left Sunny South Florida for an apprenticeship at the Boulders Potters Guild in Colorado with my eyes on graduate school and opening an artist’s Co Op that offers under privileged teenagers a space to learn about the power of art and creativity.
Please tell us about your art.
My work allows for me to connect to my ancestry and express what inspires me. I’m directly inspired by the colorful and chaotic streets of Miami and the bold geometric designs seen in pre-Colombian art, specifically in the incredible textiles created in South America. Because I create functional ceramics, I enjoy to see my work being used in the hands and homes of others. I love knowing that my creations become a part of someone’s daily rituals, it is a level of interaction that is rarely had with other art forms, and one of the things that absolutely adore about ceramics. When Creating in the studio I use wheel throwing and hand building techniques that I learned studying at FAU. Before I start crafting anything there are a lot of aspects that must be planned and prepared. First, I prepare my clay to make sure there are no air pockets and that it’s the right consistency.
I then form my pieces quickly on the wheel or by hand, once formed the clay must dry in a very slow and controlled way as to prevent cracking. Before the pieces completely dry, I begin carving and decorating, carving must be done at a specific part of the drying process for ease and precision. Once totally dry I can then fire it. I use an electric kiln and will slowly take the piece to a bisque temperature of around 1600 degrees Fahrenheit and let it slowly cool back to room temperature. I then paint layers of underglaze or glaze and fire them again, this time up to 2300 degrees. Upon cooling the piece is now completely vitrified and sealed back into a solid rock like formation with a glass like surface. This time-consuming process allows these products to be safe for food and drink as well as microwave and dishwasher safe.
We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?
This is one of the driving forces for me to create an artist co-op. As an educator in the arts connecting with other artists in a plethora of different mediums is so healthy and inspiring for the lonely artist. I always tell my students who are looking to pursue a career in the arts to go to gallery openings, apply for exhibitions, volunteer to help install work at local galleries, organize small events in your community and to prioritize art in your life.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I’m currently applying for a bunch of exhibitions and craft shows, so very soon you will be able to see me and my work on a bunch of different platforms. You can purchase work from my Etsy page at WynwoodClayCoStudios and follow me on Instagram @clayandirt for updates on upcoming shows and to follow my progress and development of my first seasonal collection that I will be releasing spring of 2019! You can support my work by of course following me on Instagram and interacting with me! DM, share comment, and double tap! These four points of communication are so important to any artist on social media and the best way to support your favorite artists! I also do flash sales on my Instagram stories about once a week.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 7863127000
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clayandirt/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WynwoodClayCoStudio
Image Credit:
Julia Zúñiga
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