TCS: When did you first start working with Polymer Clay?
Lisa: Shortly after the birth of my second son Nicholas in 1988.
TCS: Why Polymer Clay?
Lisa: It was much safer and user friendly than the fine art mediums I had been working with previously. This was very important to me because of the safety of my children and the ability to walk away and come back to work on it without problems. As a young mother, it seemed that I did most of my early work in 5 minute sessions.
TCS: Any formal artistic training?
Lisa: I took some high school and college level art instruction but my degree is in Technical Journalism. I figured that Monet (and the rest of the artistic masters) didn’t need a BA or BFA to be taken seriously as an artist, so why should I and other creative people be made to feel inadequate by a lack of credentials.
TCS: What is it about Polymer Clay that you enjoy the most?
Lisa: The versatility; there is literally no end to what can be done with it. I find I get a huge kick out of clay based on the fact that I can use it to do multiple household repair work.
TCS: How many hours a week do you spend on your work?
Lisa: 50-70 hours (which unfortunately included the business of running my business) The more time I get to “clay around,” the better.
TCS: How long do you typically work on a piece?
Lisa: Since I do many different things with clay, the range is huge. It can take me as little as 5 minutes and so far, the most time spent on one project, 5 eight hour + days (that would be covering the back of my van). It can be seen at: http://www.heartinhandstudio.com/news1.htm
TCS: Is this a full time activity for you?
Lisa: It certainly is. I think that makes me the luckiest girl in the world!
TCS: Are there any particular techniques you favor?
Lisa: I favor techniques involving texture and imagery. I go through phases where I exhaust possibilities with a technique I’ve learned or developed and then I’m ready to explore something new. which was pure serendipity.
TCS: Do you enjoy experimenting with materials and techniques?
Lisa: That’s the most fulfilling aspect of working with polymer clay, its playfulness.
TCS: Are there any particular pieces you have created that you would consider your favorite?
Lisa: I have a few. Certainly berry the teapot that graces my current business card holder (also seen in the gallery of my book Polymer Clay Extravaganza), my first polymer clay purse, and the first thing I ever did on the Carol Duvall show, a plate using my faux dichroic technique (seen at: http://www.heartinhandstudio.com/clay_gallery1.htm and http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_wood_glass_other/article/0,,HGTV_3349_1390559,00.html
TCS: Who or what provides the inspiration for your work?
Lisa: Just about everything. I keep a creative journal of ideas, inspirations, photos, and sketches. When I get an idea, the ideal situation for me is to be able to get to work on it right away if I’m lucky. If time isn’t on my side, it makes its way into my journal which I have to say I haven’t cracked very often. If anything, I get too many ideas, but it’s comforting to know I have a book of inspirations to rely on if I ever become blocked creatively. What’s interesting to me is that very seldom do my ideas come out the way I envision, but the good news is that once in a while I end up with something better than I had envisioned, even if it is a complete departure from my original idea.
TCS: What type of environment (indoors, outdoors, music, quiet …) do you find most comfortable to create in?
Lisa: I have to have background noise or I get too easily distracted. Ironic, huh? I prefer to have either Comedy Central or Turner Classic movie channels playing in the background while I work. If it’s music, than I prefer to work to fold or classical.
TCS: Are you able to find time to instruct? If so, is it at a local level or have you been fortunate enough to instruct in other parts of your state or elsewhere in the country?
Lisa: I have been instructing since 1990. I have taught locally and internationally. I’ve taught private lessons, in stores, to guilds and various groups, at trade shows, but my favorite teaching venue is to children. I worked three years as an art teacher at a private school K-8th. I often give free clay workshops at area schools when time allows.
TCS: Is your work for sale? Any advice for artists just beginning to sell their work?
Lisa: Yes it is, but I went from being solely a production artists through the mid 90’s, to doing mostly design and instructional work (today). I’ve pulled out of most galleries and stores and now sell primarily on a commission basis. If I have time, I will make items to sell at certain teaching venues, but it’s usually not more than a few items. I also donate a lot of work for charitable auctions. I believe it’s good to start by doing your homework. Go to as many galleries, stores and shows where hand made work is being sold. Get an idea of what people price their work for. Don’t under value your work because you think it may help it sell. Sometimes buyers assume there’s something wrong with your work if it is too good of a deal. Don’t over-price it either. Once you have a following and you know what the market will bear, you can gradually increase your prices. The economics of geography can play a big part in what you are able to sell your work for. Based on what I sell a purse for ($350 - $650) I can sell a piece more easily in Las Vegas or Los Angeles than I could in Boise, Idaho. I could go on for days with tips and advice, but I think getting the following books are the best investment someone who’s serious about selling their work can buy:
1. Handmade for Profit: Barbara Brabec
2. Soul Entrepreneur: Jane Pollak
3. Crafting as a Business: Wendy Rosen
TCS: Where can we find your work?
Lisa: All of the above. My website is www.heartinhandstudio.com It features samples of my work and information about my books and television appearances. I’m always updating it. Because of my business and column in Polymer Café magazine, I answer hundreds of e-mails each week, but am always happy to receive e-mails at lisapavelka@heartinhandstudio.com.
Thanks for the honor of being included in your artist interview series.
I’d like to leave your visitors with this wish:
May your every day be filled with clay!
Creatively Yours,
Lisa Pavelka |
I found myself nodding in agreement and appreciation of your connection to polymer clay. I, too, work to noise, probably because I had six children and preferred hearing their inspiring voices while I painted. I may be without the chatter on-site these days, but sculpting in polymer is one of the greatest satisfactions of my long artistic career. I, too, find the greatest of rewards in teaching children, both in clay and in two-dimensional work. I find the technical challenges of building something untried the most rewarding…but I’m not prone to straying from the natural, accidental ‘happenings’ that polymer can support so well.
An enjoyable and excellent interview!
I felt that Lisa gave an excellent interview. I also think that it is important to give back to the community and to mentor others be it children or the seniors. I have been with Make A Wish in the past in Newport Beach Ca and I volenteered my time in Henderson Nevada with T.I.P.s helping the families of deceased loved ones cope with the death and what to do next. I would love to be able to teach children or seniors in the community with Clay.Lisa is an excellent example of what an true Artist should do with their talent. I feel that clay is a great medium to be creative with and to try to come up with things that clay is not usually used in like her van that is so awesome it gives us newbiees hope and clay is so wonderful to work with especially with the new advances in product. I hope to meet Lisa one day and be able to offer my talent to others and to mentor people who are in need of a hobby. Thank you again what a great site to read and learn from Have a great week filled with Joy and clay Cheyenne Henderson Nevada