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Ariana Lopez Miami Design District
Leonela Gonzalez Kim Ferguson Brion Heath Zephyr Twins Africa Rubio
Khaos Creates
there isn’t much exposure to handmade ceramics. People are familiar with the old version of pottery vases and porcelain knick- knacks in your grandmother’s cupboard. Contemporary ceramics is still fairly unknown to the average person and so there is an exposure and education issue. Synthetic clay artists pose a challenge too. There are types of synthetic clay that don’t require as many steps as ceramics and is cheaper material that gets mixed into our industry, making
it difficult to educate and expose people to ceramics specifically. Finally, there are many corporations willing to easily knock off a handmade design instead of actually commissioning the artist.
I tackle these challenges on my social media platform by sharing some insight on the process of ceramics. Short transformation videos have been the best tool to give a behind the scenes look at a piece that can then be purchased.
I am also working on protecting specific designs of mine to help with
knock-offs.
Any success story in that field? And what was the lessons you learned from that success story?
I think the most successful thing that any artist can say in 2020 is that they made a profit. I am grateful for that.
I think I am still in the “work hard” phase of my success. There is still so much I want to do and so this year was all about laying a solid base for my brand. I learned that success doesn’t come without having a strong group of supportive people with you.
What advice would you give to novice ceramic sculpture who would like to enter the accessory industry?
Try everything once! There are so many methods to shape and create in ceramics that initially limiting yourself to one style or product will hurt your ability as an overall artist. Not all of your work will be great or understood or ever bought and that’s okay. Finally, don’t be too committed to an end product because clay has
a way of becoming what it wants to on its own.
Where can we find your ceramic accessories? Social media? Website? Order by phone only?
My work is available on my site www. khaoscreates.com or on instagram @ khaoscreates and can be purchased directly there or via social media.
I ship to all 50 states and some international countries and accept all major forms of payment. In 2021,
I will be back at local art shows and a few pieces will be available in the gift shop at Mingo Makes It Pottery Studio in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Lastly, where do you see yourself in the next 3 years? and 5 years? Three years from now, I hope to be known mostly for fine art sculptural pieces. In five years, Khaos Creates commercial pieces should be available in limited quantities at retailers like Home Goods and Pottery Barn.
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