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Megan Sward | Episode 969
Largely known for her elaborate colanders, Megan Sward is a studio potter based in Western Massachusetts. After earning a BA in Studio Art and going to graduate school, Megan worked for conceptual artist Tom Friedman. After working in Tom’s inventive and prolific studio for a few years, she moved on to build her own pottery studio. With special attention to repetitive designs, balance, and durability, Megan creates work that feels soothing and inspiring to live with.
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Did you feel that changing your language to saying, I’m professional. I am going to work. So on and so forth. Was that critical in how you viewed your career?
Yes. Because it gave me permission to commit myself fully to my studio practice adn to withdraw myself from other parts of my life that weren’t helping my creative process.
Did you end up coming up with a set of work hours when you went professional? Did you have a set schedule? Did that become part of your practice?
I wish it had. Unfortunately I gave myself permission to be as obsessive as a I really am which means being in the studio whenever it calls to me and my studio is in my home so I should have set hours but I end up working a lot before and after my family go to sleep. I would benefit a lot from set hours.
Do you have a marketing plan or approach?
(Laughter) I’m sorry for laughing I was just…no. I have no idea what I am doing. I have an idea of things I should be doing. Basically I use Instagram and hope that people find me but I am the only person. I have no hired help in any form. It’s just me, so marketing falls pretty low on the list of things that need to get done. I wish I had a better plan.
How is your work getting out in the world currently?
Mostly through direct sales on my website. I am in a few shops locally. But wholesale prices are just really hard to sustain and my studio practice is too small to go that route. I would like to have different ways of getting my work out there, I would like to be able to do more markets btu it’s just hard.
Has your confidence changed since you decided to go full time?
Yeah, absolutely. I feel like I have been able to step into my power, so to speak, and to lean into the things I do make well. Instead of always thinking about the things that I don’t know yet.
What is one thing that you didn’t know before that you know now that kind of surprised you?
I think I have surprised myself that I am just as obsessed with making my art even thought the framework has shifted and it might be frustrating or draining or it might be hurting my body some days. I think my concern was that I would lose interest and I am really relieved, whether it’s a curse or a gift, that I have not lost interest. I am just as obsessed to the point of potentially being a little dysfunctional. (Laughter)
Book
Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross
Contact
Instagram: @msward.ceramics