LAURA ZINDEL
Laura Zindel
[1985, Ceramics]
Based in Brattleboro, VT
Laura Zindel’s RISD Craft Gallery
Laura Zindel is an artist and designer who combines her passion for ceramics and naturalist illustration into unique housewares. Her work integrates techniques from the Arts & Crafts movement with modern industrial design practices and decorative arts inspired by the natural world.
A ceramist by training, Laura has always loved to draw with a pencil. Her initial drawings on the surface of clay with a glaze pencil ultimately led her to the transfer process. Her drawings are now silk screened and printed as enamel transfers on a wide variety of tableware pieces from platters to mugs. Her work is hand made in her studio in Brattleboro, Vermont.
What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?
Problem solving is an everyday thing. Clay is a material that doesn’t always do what you expect it to do. I have a studio now where I work with other artisans during every step of our process. There is always something new happening and we all work together as a team and I rely on all of them to use their talents to achieve what we do. We are always learning something new and trying to figure it all out. The thing that I value the most in my personal process is quiet time. It is hard for everyone to come by and when I don’t get enough of it, the creative process can shut down. I think it is important to let your mind have time to be able to wander where it needs to go.
How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?
My current work is a progression from all of the work that I did while at RISD. I was a ceramic major and.. I took a lot of drawing classes. I didn’t actually combine the two processes until much later, but everything you do inspires what you do next. My ceramic work at RIDS was hand built and narrative. I have always loved low fire glazes and working with the surface of clay. I spent a lot of time making molds, mixing glazes and learned how to make my first ceramic transfers. I always thought of drawing as a side job as a student but now I am glad that I found a way to combine the two things that I love the most. The exposure I had at RISD to so many artists that shared their knowledge, techniques and different style of working with us as students is what I carry with me everyday.
Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.
Nature is my main inspiration. I feel like there will never have enough time to draw everything in the world that I find curious. I choose something that presents a challenge for me to draw like a new texture that I haven’t tried or things in the natural world that have a form or pattern to explore. Because I make tableware I look at what is going on in my industry. I also love fashion. I am not that fashionable but I find that fashion inspires and has an influence on almost everything that we use, put in our homes and want around us everyday. I read a lot of books, and I rip a lot of pages out of magazines..they litter my house.
My main goal is garnish the surfaces of everyday objects so that they will wind up in someone’s home and make them happy.
Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?
I just finished a Coastal Collection. It took me more than a year to complete. I found that I just couldn’t stop…I really don’t think it is complete, but I had to stop somewhere. I was inspired by so many experiences I have had by the ocean. I can’t remember a time in my life when being by the water was not the end goal. Spending time by the water with my family and friends is always where I am the happiest.
Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?
This July we opened a showroom for the trade at the Americasmart in Atlanta. We have partnered with JK Adams, another family established Vermont company that makes wood cutting boards. We are very excited to bring our companies together and proud to both make handmade products in Vermont.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am really looking forward to being at RISD Craft. It is always wonderful to be back in Providence. I love how much the city has changed and stayed the same over the years. Providence was a construction zone when I was a student in the 80’s. Now the canals are open and it is such a beautiful place and it continues to be one of the best places to eat and see music and art. I am also hoping to reconnect with old friends and to see some current students that that are the children of my favorite alumni.
To see more of Laura’s work, visit laurazindel.com
A.T. PRATT
A.T. Pratt
[2013, Illustration]
Based in Brooklyn, NY
A.T. Pratt’s RISD Craft Gallery
*2018 Emerging Artist Award winner
I am a cartoonist, designer, writer, illustrator, and fine artist. I make comics, illustrations, and prints that take many forms. A lot of my comics and other printed work features tricks and special features such as fold-outs, pop-ups and peek-a-boos.
I am also Chief Creative Officer of MrMiSocki, a sock brand that comes with comics about the characters (who are the socks). I have designed 12 socks so far and illustrated 3 comics that come with each set. My work was included in the Society of Illustrators’ Comics and Cartoon Art Annual 3 years in a row: 2014, 2015, and 2016. MrMiSocki won the Silver Medal in the MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Awards of Excellence in the Special Format category in 2017. Besides MrMiSocki, I write and self-publish all of my comics, which range in subject matter from semi auto-bio stories about my dog walking day job to funny animal stories featuring my own original character Miggy Mouse.
How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?
My first assignment completed in Chris Buzelli’s Contemporary Illustration class (a class where we could answer the prompt in any way we chose), I made 3 comic pages and put them on the wall for critique. He said they reminded him of underground comics or zines, but he wished he could flip through them like they were the actual thing. So for every class after that, him and every classmate each got a little mini-comic or zine printed by me to answer the prompt for that week’s class. Printing the finished product plus distributing it to the little audience I had of my class every week was a great push in the right direction to where I am now, self-publishing and selling my work at art sales and comics festivals.
Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?
I have created comics and pop-up dioramas and many other printed paper products that take a great variety of forms. I like to show the limitless potential of drawings on paper to convey time and space, and although I feel I have only scratched the surface, I have many strategies and experiments to share that I hope will be inspiring to others. I am also particularly excited about sharing Mr. MiSocki, my brand of solo socks designed by me, who have leapt out of a comic book illustrated by me. This is the first example I know of fashion come to life, and I can’t wait to share these characters and designs along with the story that comes with them.
Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?
MrMiSocki Volume 1 (my first set of mismatched socks and accompanying comic book) awarded the Silver Medal in the MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) Awards of Excellence 2017 in the Special Format category.
“Live at the Grelman #3: Rhu Barb” (the third in an anthology series created with fellow alumni Vinnie Neuberg and Derek Timm-Brock) selected for Society of Illustrators’ Comic and Cartoon Art Annual 2016 in the short form category.
“Pop Pup Dog Day” (my first pop-up comic book with a multi-layed pop-up fold-out presentation) selected for Society of Illustrators’ Comic and Cartoon Art Annual 2015 in the special format category.
“Stupid Cupid” (my first comic with a pop-up center fold-out spread) selected for first Comic and Cartoon Art Annual 2014 in the short form category.
To see more of A.T.’s work, visit atpratt.net
WANDERLUST CERAMICS
Craig Crawford
[1981, Textiles]
Based in Jamestown, RI
Wanderlust Ceramics’ RISD Craft Gallery
My ceramic pieces are made from hand rolled slabs which are silkscreened in one color and then formed over plaster molds. More colors can be added after the first firing. I use images from old copper etchings or engravings as well as hand drawn background patterns to create my silkscreens. This technique allows the images to be layered or areas to be masked out and other designs dropped in. Many of the images I use relate to Natural History. I am inspired by the botanists of the 17th and 18th centuries and their skill of recording their detailed observations.
How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?
Although I currently work with clay, previously I was a Jacquard fabric designer for 10 years. I use a silkscreening technique which I learned during my time at RISD and incorporated that as well as hand drawn fabric designs into my clay pieces. RISD prepares you to be creative across different mediums, no matter what your major.
Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.
I am particularly fascinated with the botanists of the 17th and 18th centuries and their cabinets of curiosities. The Nature Lab at RISD, which is an amazing cabinet of curiosity, was one of my favorite places to spend time and I was lucky enough to have a work study there.
Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?
I started making ceramic sconce lighting last year and will be showing these new pieces as well as my tabletop collection.
Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?
Two pieces were featured in the Rhode Island Monthly magazine under local artisans in the Home Design 2018 edition. In 2017 I was awarded a RISCA grant to participate in the show Object of my Affection with 2 other artists at the TF green Airport which was up for 3 months.
To see more of Craig’s work, visit wanderlustceramics.com
AIRLIE ANDERSON
Airlie Anderson
[2000, Illustration]
Based in New Jersey
Airlie Anderson’s RISD Craft Gallery
Airlie Anderson is an award winning author-illustrator of over a dozen books for children. Her publishers include Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Child’s Play International, and Dover. She uses gouache on watercolor paper to create bright, painterly illustrations. Her gold medal winning picture book MOMO AND SNAP ARE NOT FRIENDS was selected by Hearthsong toys for a plush toy line. Her new picture book, NEITHER, was released this February to excellent reviews.
From NEITHER’s Publishers Weekly review: “Anderson’s candy-colored palette and adorable cast of creatures reflect a spectrum of states of being, creating a book that works as a resource for conversations about race, blended identities, gender norms, and more.”
What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?
I keep a sketchbook with me at all times, and draw just to exercise that muscle and to have fun. It doesn’t have to be a long drawing session, just anything that keeps my hand and eye connected. Book ideas come out this way, too. In the studio, I always start with a wash of color. Working off a glaringly white sheet of paper has never worked well for me. A wash of color is a very important ingredient. I also meditate when I can. It seems to wipe the slate clean and to allow me to think about what’s really important. Or not think about it.
How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?
Each year at RISD had a profound and distinct effect on my current creative practice. Foundation year gave me my drawing chops: hours upon hours of figure drawing, failing and failing until something clicked. I use those fundamentals every day — use ‘em or lose ‘em. During sophomore year we honed in on our major, and I chose the illustration department. To be a children’s book illustrator was always on my radar, so my lessons during this year directly influence what I do now. I still hear my teachers’ words in my ear, almost twenty years later. “Hear that voice saying ‘ehh, that’s good enough,’ ? said illustration teacher Oren Sherman. “That is the devil speaking.”
I was lucky to be part of EHP, and spent my Junior year in Rome. That’s when I learned how to live life. I can’t make good art if I’m locked in the studio, hiding from the world. Loosen up! Eat! Experience some culture and history! Then get back to work.
Senior year was all about refining my ideas for the future, experimenting with what would become my favorite processes, for crystalizing my vision. It still had a long way to go, of course. And Harry Potter was just coming onto the scene. It was a beautiful time for me, spent gazing out the studio window at Providence going about its business, at Waterfire with its wistful music. I miss that time in my life.
Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.
Books! Reading is essential. Walking into a book store and smelling the books usually gets me out of a creative rut. I read every type of book from children’s literature to adult non fiction. Books are a kind of magic for me.
I’m inspired by the colors and textures of nature. Drawing outside has a tonic effect, especially if I’m feeling cooped up.
Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?
My new book published by Little, Brown. It’s called NEITHER and I’m very excited to share it with the RISD community and beyond!
Any recent press, exhibitions, achievements or awards you’d like to share with us?
I was recently featured as a guest blogger on LGBTQ reads, talking about my book NEITHER and its gender-fluidity:
I was also a guest on podcast One Bad Mother, discussing NEITHER:
And NEITHER was featured as a Springtime Read as well as a Pride Month selection at Barnes & Noble.
To see more of Airlie’s work, visit airlieanderson.com