Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Desantis
Hi Gina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began working in clay in 1999 through my college studies at Lorain County College and finished my art degree in 2002 from Cleveland State University. I graduated form Kent State University in 2006 with my MFA. I had hoped to teach college level art and ceramics but unfortunately jobs were scarce. I worked many jobs not related to my degree before quitting my day job in 2013. From 2013 until 2020 I focused on teaching ceramics out of my studio while selling my artwork. I shut down the classroom space during the pandemic and never re-opened it to focus full time on creating and selling my artwork.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When I began my path as an artist the craft movement was just getting a resurgence. Etsy was on the rise. New shows were popping up. This helped forge a cleared path as I sold my art. However college at the time did not provide professional practices course work to art students. That is a concept that has been added as more artists become entrepeneurs. I would describe my path as non linear. It was a learning process and from that many failures along the way. Every year I learn something that does not work from my business and I reframe what I do and how I work from that experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always focused on functional art. I create ceramic home decor and dinnerware. I would describe my work as rustic yet refined. I have a few core collections that I am known for and I sell both wholesale and retail. Over 400 retailers across the country carry my work. I also have an experimental line I call “flux” for work that is an extension of the other collections but is one of a kind retail only.
What matters most to you?
My time is most important to me. I try to have a proper work life balance. With the exception of a few shows at my studio I try to keep Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm work hours. Of course I have projects here and there and may require a few extra hours but I try to make sure I have time to rest and take time off from being a business owner. It is challenging because I get phone calls and emails every day all day and I have to make sure to set that boundary that I am not accessible 24/7. I think social media and smart phones have both helped and hurt this balance.
Pricing:
- $20-500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ginadesantisceramics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginadesantisceramics
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GinaDeSantisCeramics
