Pros & Cons Of Collaboration Work | Erin Louise Clancy

Erin Louise Clancy | 1100

Erin Louise Clancy is a ceramic artist based in Queens, New York, with over 25 years of restaurant experience and a BFA in printmaking. Focusing on collaborative custom work, Erin’s pieces unite these influences with functional design.

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Do you find that when you work with someone else that you see an increase in creativity?

Yes, definitely. I feel most creative when there are actual constraints put on me. So when you think about a collaboration I love that there’s this structure. The structure allows you to be creative.

Is there an other side to that? How could collaborations be a restriction on creativity?

Well I think it just depends on how you work. For me because I like the problem solving elements of collaboration that’s exciting to me. To solve a problem, whether it be the best type of bowl for service or survives a dish pit, I mean that’s where it gets interesting. The question is one that is very personal and you have to ask yourself, are you a person that likes those constraints in which you can thrive or are you a person who needs no external parameters.

Is there a higher potential for conflict working in collaboration rather than working by yourself?

Working in the studio with no outside forces, I think to be honest, those are often the moments when I sit down to make my own work or this moment that doesn’t have any goals…I think conflict is kind of strong word, I think there is a kind of tension. A tension between whose needs are happening. But to be honest I sometimes get writer’s block when I am just working for myself. So that conflict feels very present just when I am by myself.

Does having deadlines on your work make you a more focused maker?

Absolutely. I think deadlines for me are way to hold me accountable. Right now on my board I have both sort of client based work and then work for myself. Even for my own collections we need to put deadlines down so we follow through with the project.

How do you mitigate against deadline failures? Like you have to redo something.

Oh yes, so over the years the best thing that I have ever done for myself in a contract or in emails is I never say a hard deadline. I say every single deadline is an estimated delivery window. And before I take on the work or before I take on the client there is a always a conversation about the handmade ceramic process and that things can happen. I don’t give any delivery dates until I unload the kiln.

What about payment? Do you have them pay some before hand or wait until after the process in completed?

Yes, my policy has always been before I begin any production I require a 50 percent non-refundable deposit and I don’t start any work. We will have fleshed out design at this point in a consultation but in order for me to actually start working on the job I do take payment of 50 percent and the remaining balance is only due upon completion.

What is your favorite thing about collaborative work whether with a restaurant or with your friend?

People. People, at the end of the day collaboration is the just getting the opportunity to be curious about each other and about what we need and want and like. At the end of the day ceramics is the way in which we can further those connections with each other.