SHE

CH: Describe the origin story (what inspired you, what story did you want to tell, how the piece came together, etc.) for She

JF: This work is one of my earliest explorations in ceramics, created with little technical knowledge but a strong desire to translate emotion into form. I entered the studio carrying grief, anxiety, and a fragile sense of hope, and allowed those feelings to shape the clay. With only a two-hour window to complete the face, I relied on instinct rather than technique, letting the process unfold naturally. The result is a raw and immediate expression: a face that embodies the intensity of what I was experiencing at the time. In making it, I sought to give physical shape to those emotions, both to honor them and to release them, leaving behind a tangible record of an inner state made visible.

CH: What is your favorite tool/material to make art with?

JF: My favorite material to make art with is definitely clay. I love it for the tactile and transformative nature— how earth, water, and fire create something solid and strong. Clay is such a versatile medium, and the process of ceramics forces you to surrender to the unknown. It’s challenging. Pieces might come out different than expected, or even explode in the kiln, and the process requires a great deal of patience and trust in the process.

CH: What creative project are you working on right now? (does not have to be art related!)

JF: I am currently working on my first full-body ceramic sculpture, and I’m loving every minute of it! I am eager to begin the underglazing process and give her my character’s signature long black hair. Once she is fired, I plan to adorn her skin with fine line tattoos, which is something new and very exciting for me.