Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Brinson.
Cynthia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started playing in the black gumbo clay in my backyard as a child. I took clay classes in college and fell in love but could not pursue further at that time. Twenty-two years ago, my husband suggested we take a clay class together. I was in love again and in ready to dive in. I got a wheel, then a kiln and eight years ago built a studio in my backyard.
I use stoneware and most of my work is high fired to be both durable as well as beautiful. Travel has informed my work with landscapes being a favorite of mine on plates, bowls and mugs. I also make large vases, plant pots, as well as sculptures of angles, pigs and dogs.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I worked full time for sixteen years while making pottery was just part-time, so finding time to make was tough as well as finding places to sell. I retired four years ago and began a search for students, shows and shops/galleries to sell my work. Shops tend to change hands and get beaten up by the economy. Outside shows suffer from weather/management and students a challenge for lots of other reasons.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the CiCi House of Clay story. Tell us more about your art.
I started selling pottery as Clay Babies as a nod to George Ohr, the mad potter of Biloxi, who considered all his pots his babies. When my first grandchild was born, he started calling me CiCi House so I change my pottery name to CiCi House of Clay. I specialize in landscapes on plates, which I consider to be an exercise in abstract expressionism. I hope I am known for beautiful, durable pottery. I am proud of my pots as my style is unique to me, which is the only way any artist makes their mark in the art world.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
As I am in the second act of my like, I have the benefit of being able to look back with some perspective not as readily available to someone younger. I have come to understand that being smart and lucky is a very good combination. Most bad luck can be turned into a gift with enough insight. Pottery that cracks or has flaws are learning lessons that can be turned into mosaics or test glazes pieces. A bad show could lead to contacts with other artists who have information for good shows. Bad weather at a show might cause other artists not to come out, but the weather could change then become nice and the people come out and buy from me because I am one of the few that stayed. A shop that carried my work could close but the new buyer not only wants to carry my work but at better terms. Sometimes not, but anyway, life goes. I get the opportunity to learn and grown and that is the point in the long run.
Pricing:
- My prices run between $12.00 and $250.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 820 Cedar Springs Terr Arlington Texas 76014
- Website: https://www.facebook.com/CiCiHouseofClay
- Phone: 817 262b 2641
- Email: fbrinson@sbcglobal.net
- Instagram: fbrinson
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