Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Shook.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m a ceramic artist. While I was attending The University of Texas at El Paso, I pursued a degree in English Literature and a BFA in Ceramics. The fine arts program required a heavy drawing foundation and the ceramics program focused on training as a studio potter. I made dinnerware. In fact, I paid for a lot of school selling place settings and serving pieces. As much as I appreciate beautiful, handmade tableware, I couldn’t commit to the drawn-out days and long weeks required to make a living as a potter. Besides, while my hands were busy repetitiously throwing pieces for the table, my head was full of images and stories.
In graduate school at ASU, I abandoned functional work and began searching for a way to pull narratives into my clay. Back then, I was creating large installations to tell my story. After graduating, without the resources of the university, I struggled with how to relay the narrative. Working smaller, I fell back on my drawing skills and a near complete English degree; working through the ceramic process to make it happen.
Please tell us about your art.
I make narrative drawings on clay… and dinnerware. I still make dinnerware. Image making on clay isn’t new or cutting edge. Still, any ‘how-to’ would be tethered to countless variables in the ceramic process. My work straddles traditional drawing practices and mark-making adapted from printmaking processes with respect to the ceramic surface.
I begin by taking a photograph for reference. From the photo, I draw a detailed study on paper to the size I intend for the clay drawing. The study helps me learn form and space before I commit to the ceramic surface – it’s not as easy to erase on clay as it is paper. Then, I redraw the image on clay; working through the glaze process from there.
In my studio, there’s a post-it note on the whiteboard that reads, ‘say something.’ Art is communication. My work is generally autobiographical – in that anything I have to say about anything necessarily comes from my worldview. As a Christian, I am obligated to point out, speak up and stand in for those in need. I never want things or people to speak for me, to tell my story while I still have a voice. Art is communication. Say something.
My work is about my relationship with God and my relationship with the world through faith. This becomes my narrative. I don’t know anything better than I know that. Because I am assured that my worldview is not singular, my narrative becomes allegory. I invite others to join my story, fully aware of potential conflict and distance as well as comfort and familiarity.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing artists today?
The first and most immediate answer to that is the challenge of making a living as an artist and the next would be focus. One challenge seems to complicate the other. Still, if we can create balance between the bread and butter work and the work we are passionate about, I think we’ll see that they complement each other – literally supporting one another. It’s more about being multidimensional as an artist and person that will drive the work, the communication. That job outside of art isn’t a bad thing. It keeps you connected and fed. And because art-making is generally a solitary task, it may also be the only time you talk to other people.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I exhibit throughout the year. To stay in the loop about upcoming exhibitions, you can subscribe to my website. You can find functional work (because I still make dinnerware) at Practical Art in Phoenix and at Bergies Roast House Coffee in Gilbert. My studio, dessadog studio, is open by appointment – contact info on my website.
Contact Info:
- Address: Dessadog Studio 1410 W. Guadalupe Rd.
Bldg. 1 ste. 103 Gilbert, AZ 85233 ~by appointment - Website: www.bethshookart.com
- Email: dessadogtoo@q.com
- Instagram: dessadogtoo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beth.shook.90
- Twitter: @beth_shook
Image Credit:
Personal photo credit: Lisa Olson, Artwork credit: artist
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