Mary Flores

Medium: Pottery Inspired by the Sea, Jewellery and Sculptural Designs

Location: Qualicum Beach

Bio:

  Mary Flores creates pottery and jewellery inspired by the colours and forms of the sea. Her various artistic interests have ranged from working as a graphic artist, calligraphy, jewellery design, and glass art over the last 30 years. Having lived on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the South China Sea, the diverse coast of Chile, and now the Salish Sea, Mary has always had a deep appreciation for the ocean and all its natural wonders.

Q & A

1) Have you had to adapt your studio/home/space to be more suitable to your practice during this time?
I do not have the space for a dedicated studio in my home, and have been using my kitchen counter all along as my “studio”, so it has not been a challenge at all to adapt to working at home. My pottery tools, glazes, etc have always been kept in a spare bedroom. After I finish making pieces in the kitchen, they are set to dry in a bathtub, or all over the guest room! I do terribly miss going to Pyromania and  Arrowsmith Potters Guild where I use the kilns and spend time with other creative people.

2) Can you describe your daily/weekly art practice, anything that you do differently because your studio is in such proximity?
I don’t do anything different now. I do have more time to create, since we are all slowing down and staying home more. I keep my tools and clay on the kitchen counter all the time now, instead of putting them away in the evening, which enables me to start and stop work a on a new piece for 20 minutes or several hours.

3) Has this time of self-isolation changed your practice in any way. I know a lot of artists are missing things (materials, space, etc). Has this time pushed you to be more creative or think outside the box in your practice and can you give us an example?
I feel I have more time to experiment with different techniques that I wouldn’t have tried before. In a way, it’s a more relaxed time.....if I can block out what’s going on in the world.

4) What is your favourite part about your home-studio?
My favourite part of working in the kitchen is that I can have something in the oven cooking while I’m working on clay!

5) Do you have any goals of creativity for this time?
I feel I almost have a blank slate to work with on the creative side of my brain. Not knowing how much longer this time of isolation will last, there is no timeframe to finish a project. Who knows what I’ll make during this time!

6) Any messages you would like to share with everyone during this time?

Please stay safe, and obey Dr. Bonny Henry! We will come out strong on the other side of this!