Sarah's Sculptural Beauties
Sarah Milstein and I met in a class at Clay by the Bay, where we’re both members. I’ve seen her work grow from vases and tableware to beautiful sculptural pieces that vary between abstracts and everyday objects such as ceramic Post-it notes, paper bags, and face masks. One of my favorite pieces of hers is a gigantic marshmallow that looks like it was toasted in a bonfire. I liked it so much I bought it and took it home with me!
Sarah and I had a great chat recently and I got to photograph some of her lovely pieces…read on for more…
Q: What do you like about clay and ceramics?
“I like how clay is so different from any other medium. It really gets you out of your head. And I’m really in my head all of the time… (Sarah’s a lawyer in her day job). The sculptures that I do that are of an object, I’m still in my head, but the pieces that I do that involve more physicality (see her abstracts below), the less I’m in my head.
Clay is really forgiving…which I often forget. This is so cheesy, but I really feel like clay has a lot of parallels to life…it does have memory, but it’s also very forgiving. It does what it wants to do, but you can control it…but it doesn’t always want you to…and doing things like cutting a sculpture in half can be kinda scary, especially if you’re really attached to it because there’s always the risk that it might fail. There are a lot of lessons in clay. Not to be too attached.”
Q: Do you have a favorite ceramic artist (or two)?
“When I was younger I was pretty obsessed with Claes Oldenburg—I don’t think ceramic was a primary medium, but I’ve always appreciated how he makes every day objects come to life, often larger than life.
Johnson Tsang’s work is incredible, and I recently discovered Emma Luna’s stacked ceramic rags and laundry that I just love. I clearly have a thing for Trompe-l’oeil.”
Q: Favorite quote?
““Progress always involves risk; you can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.””
Q: What’s the next direction for you and your work?
“I’d like to start making bigger sculptures; I’m currently working on a stack of bags, which if successful, I hope provides a commentary on waste and consumerism.”
I’ve seen Sarah’s ceramic paper bags—they’re amazing! Check out her work on Instagram: @sarahmilli.
Sarah Milstein
100 days of stitched ceramics
I spent a good portion of 2019 working on a 100 day project. The 100 Day Project is an annual virtual event, where a bunch of optimistic creative types post daily images of their projects on Instagram. 100 day projects range from writing quotes, to creating collages or paintings, to practicing calligraphy, photography, cooking, or drawing an illustration.
The 100 Day Project
I spent a good portion of 2019 working on a 100 day project. The 100 Day Project is an annual virtual event, where a bunch of optimistic creative types post daily images of their projects on Instagram. 100 day projects range from writing quotes, to creating collages or paintings, to practicing calligraphy, photography, cooking, or drawing an illustration.
My project, #100daysofstitchedceramics, actually ended up being more like 150 days, because it was a more intricate, phased process than I’ve done in previous years. I knew going in that it might take longer to complete, but it was worth every extra day! I now have a collection of organic and unique little pieces, a colleague described to me as a “tide pool” to showcase.
The process
I started by shaping small hand-built greenware (clay that has not been fired) pieces in random, organic shapes, in which I made holes so I could stitch them. I didn’t necessarily know how or with what I’d stitch them (I generally didn’t count the amount of holes I pierced into them), and would make batches of them at a time when I was in the studio.
Next, these small unfired pieces went to the kiln to be bisque-fired, then glazed (or raw) and into the second and final firing. Once the ceramic processes were done, I’d stitch them using a few different types of thread and materials, including paper, hemp, bamboo, and leather. When that was done, I would photograph and post them to Instagram. Phew!
Why do it
This is my fourth time doing a 100 day project (not consecutively—I skipped a year), and as I mentioned, this project took a bit longer and was more complex that in previous years. At times, the finish line felt like forever away, and there were a few days where I was annoyed, making pieces quickly and not paying attention, just to feel like I fulfilled my responsibility to myself. There’s something interesting about the processes and outcomes of doing projects like this, where you aren’t doing it to make money or for a cause…you’re generally doing this for yourself…perhaps to prove something or to improve on something. Or, maybe you just like to torture yourself (I kid!). Regardless, I love looking back at what I’ve created and it feels fantastic knowing I finished what I set out to do.
You can do a 100 Day Project at any time, but I recommend participating with most of the internet when the project officially begins each April. This year (2020) the project starts April 7th. Find more info on doing your own project at the100dayproject.org. I’m already starting to plan mine.
