What influenced your journey in pursuing the Arts?
From being a small child ‘Creating’ has always been my go to activity so it seemed natural to go into the arts when I trained as a teacher. Working in a secondary school with other Artists and gaining experience in all fields and all media was a fantastic immersion to fire my own creativity.
Who and what inspires you?
Anything and everything: other potters work, natural forms, living in New Zealand, the act of creating!
What is your medium of choice?
Clay
How would you describe your creative style?
Eclectic, maybe just a bit chaotic, always looking for new challenges, new methods, and new ideas. I work on projects until the technique is mastered but then look for new ways to move on.
What does your art mean to you?
Creating is an inseparable, core part of being me. If I didn’t work with clay I would have to paint or make jewelry or dye textiles. It’s simply ‘what I do’.
Do you have a fave piece of art and if so who is it by, and why is it your fave?
No forever favourite. As I move into new textures or finishes I will be inspired by one artist who excels in that field, but I owe a debt to Danny Moorwood who’s beautiful work inspired me when I was starting out and who was kind enough to answer my early pleas for help with encouragement and advice.
How would you describe the Arts in Aotearoa?
Prolific. As an Arts Event organiser I am consistently blown away by what is being produced literally in our ‘own back yard’. We have such an abundance of creative energy and skill in the whole community, the results are amazing.
Sheila’s website: http://www.nookpottery.co.nz/
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