Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Stangel.
Hi Christine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The Gifts of Art! That is how my story as an artist began with and the gift of one beginner pottery lesson at a family camp, but let us rewind just a little bit on how I got there. After stepping away as an elementary teacher to become a stay home mom with our four children—a daughter and triplet boys— I needed a creative outlet of my own. That first experience at the potter’s wheel was just what I was looking for, which grew from a hobby, turned into a passion and, eventually, a small business I never imagined creating. Now, let us fast forward a little to my love of learning. A few years ago, I wanted to learn how to draw and bring my own imagery onto my decorative pottery. I took the leap and enrolled in a local nature drawing class where I received another unexpected gift. I was surrounded by an artistic community who encouraged me to learn, experiment, and grow. My love of drawing with colored pencils has now become a second small business and an additional direction for my artistic voice. I am blessed with the gift of two mediums, pottery and drawing. Now let us go back to the Gifts of Art!
Art is not only about what you create, but the gift of the people you get to know and cross paths with. The encouragement of my husband, our children, family, friends, local businesses, fellow artists, and amazing customers along with the friendships I found in the pottery and colored pencil communities has been life changing. The opportunity to support other Pennsylvania artists as a Winter Craft Market committee member has also been rewarding. My artist’s journey has also brought me back to my roots as an educator. I now teach a local beginning drawing class along with mentoring the summer pottery staff at the very same camp where I took my first lesson. Being able to pass along knowledge is a gift in itself, but my proudest moment has been sharing the gift of art with my wonderful daughter, who is now an art teacher, artist, and exceptional human being. I tell her often that I want to be her when I grow up.
So many gifts within this journey and it all started with just one lesson. My biggest encouragement to everyone is to take that leap, find an art class, and get creative! It is good for the heart, soul, brain, and overall well-being. You never know what gifts you might receive!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There is always a learning curve within a medium, especially as a self-taught artist. Starting a business as a sole entrepreneur has been a challenge, too. Like all business owners, you wear so many different hats along with bridging the artistic side along with the logical side of your brain. The creative artistic hat is definitely my favorite one to wear. Then there is the nerdy scientist hat that involves investigating the chemistry behind the glazes, clay, and materials. Learning the technical side of kilns, marketing on social media, having a presence during shows, and polishing up my accounting skills keeps me busy. My not so favorite hat…. facilities maintenance. I play in the mud and that can get messy. Thankfully colored pencils are cleaner to work with.
Another challenge was finding my voice within each medium and creating a line of work that was my signature style. Each piece is created with attention to detail and made from the heart. Learning both mediums and the problem solving that goes along with it has been the biggest challenge of all, but that is the most exciting part for me which drives my creativity as an artist.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
From start to finish, each piece of pottery is made from the heart and encompasses my love of gardening and cooking with my family. The landscapes, flowers and color schemes of Monet’s paintings have become an inspiration for my work which are reflected in the glazing, hand-painted floral designs, and leaf impressions in my pottery. Using a brown stoneware clay, each piece is wheel thrown, hand built or a combination of the two creating functional art for the kitchen and home.
My newest artistic adventure is creating nature inspired drawings. Each picture starts with a reference image that inspires my composition. Once finished, these are sent to a local printer who creates greeting cards of my work. Colored pencils are such an amazing medium and so much lighter and very portable. My journey with this medium continues to evolve and I love the direction my artistic voice is taking me.
Between the two mediums, the connections I make with people is my most cherished part as an artist. It’s also a gift knowing each piece may be used every day, become a treasured piece, or even passed on as a present brings me the most joy as an artist.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Being an artist can sometimes be very solitary! Finding communities within both mediums has helped me tremendously throughout my journey. As a potter, I joined the Potters Guild of Central PA many years ago and this community helped encourage and develop, along with giving me a safe space to experiment and grow my craftsmanship. Through my new love of drawing, being part of our local Art Alliance of Central PA has given me the chance to surround myself with like-minded artists, and a wonderful group of friends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://csstangelpottery.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/csstangelpottery/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSStangelPottery
- Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/csstangelartwork/
- Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61593794902785
