Q&A:

1. Please introduce yourself! 

Hi, I’m Karli Fairbanks. Originally from Spokane, Washington I recently relocated to the LA area. I’m a full time independent artist working in design, visual art, murals and ceramics. My days are full of creative work and running the business aspect of being a full time creative! I also spend a lot of time with my dog and play music. Been working with clay for three years.

2. Your clay story: when and how did you first get into pottery? Can you remember your first pottery experience? Do you have any first memories that stick out?

I am a life-long Antiques Roadshow fan (hehe) and one time on an episode someone brought in a piece of pottery by Picasso and the Madoura pottery studio. I really had never seen anything like it. I immediately decided, “I must paint on pots!” I enrolled in a class not long after and I quickly realized I loved making the pots as much as decorating them. I  haven’t looked back for a second.

3. What forms do you make most, and what’s your style or go-to techniques/materials?

Right now I’m mostly making mid to large sized coil pots and small trinkets/trinket shelves. I like to try new clays but gravitate more towards lighter colored clay so I can get really bright colors. I’m honestly always trying something new within the handbuilding techniques but I think I love how coil building feels. It’s very meditative.

4. What appeals to you about clay and what lessons has it taught you?

Clay teaches me to breathe. To slow down, to check in with my different senses and really tune in. Sometimes I just rest my hands on a piece I’m working on and close my eyes. Then I ask big questions. It makes me feel connected. I used to have a huge garden and working with clay gives me a similar feeling to gardening. You can’t rush anything, you co-create everything that happens with the earth/elements.

5. How did you find Not Another Pottery Studio? Do you have any special moments, or favorite memories with other members / students?

I walked by before I moved here when I was visiting a friend and I thought…I want to be there. 🙂 I’ve started saying “Sup?” again for the first time since I was like 13 thanks to Mimi. And I just love seeing pottery through so many different people’s perspectives and ideas at the studio.

6. What advice would you give to someone starting out in pottery?

Let the love of the process guide you! Find techniques that feel really good to do…not easy necessarily, but good. And practice those!

7. If we want to see more of you, your work (ceramic or other), where would we go? (If people can buy your work or you take commissions, let us know!)

I sometimes do commissions! I sell my visual art online and ceramics at markets. Next one I’ll be at is Jackalope’s Pasadena Art Walk.

karlifairbanks.com

https://www.instagram.com/karlifairbanks/