i. I work as a ceramic artist.

ii. I do this creative work because:
I like making pottery that has both beauty and practicality. Unlike industrial mass produced pottery, handmade pottery can provide person to person contact. I believe that I can share my passion and aesthetic gratification with the user through my work and it brings beauty and enjoyment into our everyday life.

iii. Personal qualities that help me in my work are:
I’m patient, focused, and self-motivated.

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iv. The greatest challenges around doing this work are:
Time management and balancing work with everyday life. Pottery making is a lengthy process: making, drying, bisque firing, glazing and glaze firing. Also it takes time to do prep work such as glaze mixing, recycling clay, cleaning up and organizing studio space, etc. I try to make to-do lists and schedule so that I can use studio time more efficiently.

v. Creative childhood hobbies:
I liked drawing (doodling), making objects with paper clay, cooking, singing, and playing outside.

vi. Other creators who inspire you:
Takeshi Yasuda, a Japanese ceramic artist. I am fascinated by his porcelain work.

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vii. Training that has helped me in this career:
I first learned pottery basics in Japan over 20 years ago. After immigrating to Canada, I studied Fine Arts at Langara College and Emily Carr University, where I learned history, aesthetics, and a variety of techniques from utilitarian to sculptural ceramics.

viii. A common trap that can hurt people in this career:
Comparing yourself and your work with other ceramic artists and their work. It’s better to focus on making work that you love and enjoy.

ix. Some proud career moments:
I worked as a glaze technician and a pottery studio manager at West End Community Centre for over 10 years. It was great to support other people’s creative work and I learned a lot from working at the very busy studio.

I received the Ceramic Award from Circle Craft when I exhibited a porcelain light sculpture in the Emily Carr Grad Show. I am quite encouraged by this approval, as it was my first time to exhibit my sculpture. Now the majority of my work is functional ware, but definitely I would like to try making sculpture again.

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x. If you want to work in my field, I suggest that you:
Learn the basics. There is so much to learn about materials, glaze chemistry, technique and technology. Then, do a lot of experiments and develop your own style.

xi. A professional goal I have for the future:
I’ve just started to work as a full-time ceramic artist. One of my professional goals is to improve my business skills as an artist. And also I would like to improve my artwork and participate in more shows and exhibitions in the future.

xii. If you want to see my work, go to:
CCBC Shop & Gallery

www.atsukoyoshimura.com

www.creatorsvancouver.com