Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Tasha Renne | Episode 740
SPONSORS
You can help support the show!
GRPotteryForms.com
Number 1 brand in America for a reason. Skutt.com
For all your ceramic needs go to Georgies.com
What did your imposter syndrome make you want to do as you got increased attention with sudden growth?
It made me want to speak out about what I was seeing around me. So at that time I was struggling mentally and emotionally during that time. ANd not only because of the pandemic of course but also because of what was happening and I live so close to the capital, so a lot of people were protesting near the capital or at the capital and I went to couple of protests with a strong fear of Covid going through my body and I would come home and I would see all these people and I would have those feelings of like, What are they here for? Who can I trust? I had a lot of mistrust around that time, walking out on the streets and seeing people I don’t know, hearing helicopters every single night, and it’s an old building so windows would rattle a little bit. Ceramics was not my focus at that time, though I continued to show up for the practice. In the same way that I continued to show up for my meditation and as I continued to show up for therapy and things like that. I try to show up for myself because of everything that is going on. So it did not make me want to do anything with the platform except, Okay, you are all here now. This is what I have to say, these are my thoughts, this is what I think you should look into.
What kind of words of encouragement helped you to move past that imposter syndrome? Or helped you move on regardless of the imposter syndrome?
I think the move on regardless and it’s the people who tell me to continue to trust myself and my work. And to just continue to be myself. So regardless of the size of my platform I want to make sure I continue to make things that I enjoy making and be able to explore and try new things which has been really challenging lately as I have taken on more wholesale orders because they have taken so much of my time that I don’t feel like I have been able to explore and do other stuff. But learning to trust myself and to show up and to practice keeps me moving forward. And as different people reach out to me I have to balance if I have the emotional energy. Because I always want to say, Yeah. Oh my gosh, what an opportunity! I really need to do this! I don’t usually go from news to excitement. I usually go from news to anxiety, to overwhelmed from anxiety. And I have to plan it all out and I am anxious the whole way through. So it is kind of like keep moving forward type of thing and also taking a step back to breath and assess, Is this one worth it? But the encouragement was always to trust myself and hearing, You are doing good, was always helpful.
Does seeing other work on Instagram and the comparison feed into any of those feelings of inferiority?
No! I am super inspired! So the reason I got to carving is because of Michelle Williams Ceramics. Oh my gosh, her carved pieces are just stunning. And I was like, I am going to get some Diamond Core tools and try this out. And as soon as I started I was like, Oh, I like this! The way it feels to pull the tool through the clay and the effect that you get and everything else. I love seeing different techniques that people use and different way that they are inspired by color and things that I would never try. I am super inspired by other artists. I am always curious about how they price their work, though. That is something that makes me feel a little insecure because I am constantly trying to figure that out. But I don’t feel insecure looking at other people’s work. And I think that is a part where I do feel confident in what I do make, I feel like I definitely make quality pieces that I enjoy.
How is imposter syndrome different than being a fake?
Well, I know there is a saying, fake it til you make it. And put on the confidence you don’t have and move forward, but I am not faking it. In the sense that, I kind of accept where I am at, and I move forward. And the imposter part is just like a part of me can’t believe that people like you would look at my work and go, Oh, it’s beautiful. So I think it boils down to value and worth and how I value my work. I don’t know if there has to be a huge difference, I could see someone also with that lack of value faking it to try and make sure that they continue to move forward in their business or whatever else they are doing. So I don’t think they have to be completely separate. But…I wish I could fake it a little more maybe. (laughter) It might make it a little easier on myself.
Does success serve as a way for healing for that?
No, because recently an artist guild from New York reached out to me to set me up with West Elm for their vendors program and I am in talks with West Elm to do pieces for them. And I currently have an agreement with the same plant shop that I had said, Hey, I make pots. Now they are carrying my pieces on going and having these orders. And I even got reached out to do a commercial, maybe. Just all these random things, and instead of thinking, Yeah, I made it. I deserve this. It is more of like, Why me? Why did you guys choose me to do these things? And again a lot, not a lot but definitely because I am black and being queer, I do feel like I check a lot of people’s boxes. It’s like black, queer, female. We can check all that off that we supported that type of artist. So I think that I still think that I am unworthy of the attention and the praise that I get and I assume it is just for all these other reasons having to do with my perceived identity. Insecurity basically. (laughter) Because what is success? What is one’s measure of success? Being in shops isn’t a measure of success for me. It’s a fantastic opportunity. I can save money and buy a house and all those types of things but my measure of success isn’t just to sell my work. So I think until I hit my own markers of success in quality and the type of work I am inspired to make, getting to learn from other artists, those things, I’m like, Oh I made it. If I ever get to do a workshop with Adam Field, then I am like, Yeah, I am in this! (laughter) You know, it depends on where your bar is.
How do you price your work?
You know…I have a friend, Gabo Martini who has these wonderfully, colorful, carved, really planned out pieces. And I see how much she prices her work and I’m like, dang. That’s dope. And then I have other friends that price it on the low end, but they are not making as intricate of pieces. Like not hand carved. They will start charge fifty dollars a mug and things like that…so my prices have slowly been increasing but it is through talking with other people and talking with shops and people who work in shops who say, I think you can get this for that. And yes, I think you should charge that. Has gotten me to move my prices around a bit. But I am still a little insecure about setting prices. My next set of mugs with the line work that will be on my website were a pain in the butt to do. And I am going to sell them as pairs for one hundred a pair. At first I was thinking, Oh my is that too much for a mug. And then I was like, You know, I have seen a lot of other people price their pieces for this much and they have way less intricate details. So my plan is to price them at that and see what the market allows and then to go from there. I am still new to it all.
Book
Love and Rage by Lama Rod Owens
Contact
Instagram: @tashathrowsraw