Today we’d like to introduce you to Katelyn Queen.
Hi Katelyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
When I started doing ceramics I was still working at a sandwich shop and going to school full time, now I am working full time and using my Communication Degree every single day at my job.
While working in the Plaza as a Legal Receptionist, Annette Griggs of Griggs Injury Law LLC, Aaron House of House Law LLC has helped guide me, and create an understand working with the public and the importance of having good relationships with people from many different backgrounds.
In regard to the Arts, not only do I love to create but I am able to connect weekly and monthly with people who have similar interests.
Driftwood Ceramics is my place I love to support and proud to call myself a member of this establishment. It is a beautiful community with passionate and friendly ownership and staff.
I do all I can to keep all my big parts of my life balanced- having a wheel at home, working close to home, and having a great group of people around me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been the easiest road, going from making bread every morning to now discussing serious personal injury issues with people all across Kansas and Missouri.
I have been able to connect with people in a way I have never been able to before.
As I continue to move forward, I will take these interactions and continue to better my communication to continue to collab with all types of people, everywhere.
In college I dreamt of having a lot of good connections and know a lot of people within the area I live, and I am so blessed to work for people who fit that category.
I will have to continue to work and not be afraid to speak my mind and step into roles I may be uncomfortable with in order to grow and become better.
Therapy has also been a huge factor in the last year for me. I wouldn’t be able to succeed without the keys of life from my wonderful therapist! Therapy can be so helpful as long as there is honesty. Don’t be afraid to find answers in places you haven’t explored before.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do ceramics and I spend majority of that time doing throwing, and over time I have picked up hand building.
My main type of pottery I make consists of bowls and medium height vases.
I have spent time learning form, understanding the clay and how it moves. I am about five-six years in but I will always be learning more as I continue to grow as an artist.
I spend time on my work to the point that it tests my patience in the best way. I always do what I can to remember that if I created a piece once, I can do it again, and better!
I also learned to not get too attached to a piece, because it could be destroyed at any step of the process.
I have finished pieces that I am truly proud of and I feel like I have found my art that I can express myself in a way that shows, longevity and my attention to detail.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
There may be forces trying to stop the arts from thriving and individuals from doing their crafts but, we as people must keep art alive. Continue to support museums, local artists, and local events.
Capitalism may try to tell you that art is just a hobby and that you can’t pursue multiple endeavors, but we must fight back!
Be realistic with what we have, but don’t ever, ever lose hope in the arts, and humanity!
Not everything is money and not everything is about control.
Places like Driftwood Ceramics continues to host events that supported: Kids & Art, a non-profit that empowers pediatric cancer patients through arts.
If places continue to show that they are active and make themselves known, we will win as a society!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katelynqueen15.wixsite.com/katelynqueen
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenceramics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katie.queen.58
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-queen-266911197
