Balancing Grad School, Creativity, and Life

Hey everyone! Sorry for the long delay—I’ve been MIA for a bit because grad school has been kicking my ass. Seriously! There’s been so much to read, tons of critiques (we call them “crits”), and I’m doing my best just to stay afloat. But honestly, I’m having the time of my life.

I’ve only been here a short time, but I’ve learned so much already. It’s amazing to take a deep dive into art and really push myself to create work that’s completely new to me. Every day is an exploration, and I’m taking advantage of so many tools I never had access to before. You can usually find me in the sculpture department, spending hours welding or working in the woodshop. It’s both intense and deeply fulfilling to work with new materials and techniques and see what my ideas can become when I use them.

But, while I’m fully immersed in my art journey, the practical side of life doesn’t go away. I’m still throwing and glazing functional pottery to pay the bills. Between readings, critiques, and studio hours, I make time to keep up with pottery because it’s not just how I support myself, but also because it’s grounding—it reminds me where I started and keeps me connected to that foundational love for creating. I’m hoping to have enough pieces ready for a holiday sale soon!

Thank you to everyone who’s been keeping up with me, supporting me, and following along on this crazy journey. It means so much to know that people care and are excited to see where this path takes me. Your support keeps me going, even when the schedule is overwhelming. So here’s to the continued adventure, to the art I’m making, and to whatever comes next. Thanks for being here with me, through life and art.

Stay tuned, and I’ll try to keep the updates coming!

Grad Life Update: Exploring New Perspectives and Creative Avenues

Hey everyone! I’m back with another update on grad life, and what a week it’s been! Last week was packed with presentations, readings, and lots of new insights. I’m really enjoying the content and instruction so far. It’s refreshing to dive into different perspectives on art and life in general, especially through the philosophical approach we’ve been taking with ideas and theory.

One of the highlights was completing a safety workshop in woodworking, which now grants me access to the student woodworking lab. I’m excited to explore this new medium, so keep an eye out for furniture projects in the future!

I ended the week on a high note by attending the Fuzzy Forms exhibition, a curated show by the second-year grads. It was an incredible event that showcased work from all departments, highlighting the variety and talent in the grad program.

Exciting News: New Clay Pieces for Sale

Speaking of creativity, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been working with clay and experimenting with different studio glazes here at Tyler. I’ve created a few pieces this year, and I’m excited to announce that they’ll be available for sale on Saturday, September 21st at pottery32.com starting at 10am. This marks my first time working making clay, and I can’t wait for you to see the results.

Thank you all for your continued support and well wishes—it truly means a lot. Stay tuned for more updates and projects coming soon!

Exploring Art and Possibilities: My Journey at Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Welcome back, everyone! It’s Rich here, and I’m excited to share some highlights from my first couple of weeks at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture. I’ve ventured out into the vast campus of Temple University, meeting amazing people—from fellow students to faculty and staff. It’s been a whirlwind of creativity and connection!

One of the most exciting experiences so far was attending an incredible art show at Tyler Contemporary. It was inspiring, and I even had the chance to create my very first glass piece in our glass studio, which was a huge milestone for me. The energy around here is contagious, and I’m feeling more motivated than ever.

Last week was hectic with three presentations. These talks focused on graduates sharing their work, current projects, and future possibilities. It was a great opportunity to think about what’s next for me as I continue to push my boundaries.

In the studio, I’m experimenting and testing out new ideas, especially in clay and other mediums. I’m working on letting go of the need to feel comfortable, embracing the unknown so I can grow and expand my visual and aesthetic vocabulary.

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue this amazing ride. Thanks for being part of the journey!

Changing Lives through Clay

A New Chapter Begins: My First Day at Tyler School of Art and Architecture

Hey everyone,

Thank you for being a part of my journey with clay and for following me as I embark on a new adventure at Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University in Philadelphia. Today marks my first official day of class! Last week was all about new student orientation, and now the real fun begins.

I moved into my private studio last week, explored the campus, and even had the chance to make clay for the first time in my pottery journey. I've spent a lot of time experimenting with this new clay body, exploring all the possibilities it holds. I’ve created over 30 pieces, and I'll be firing them this week to see if this clay is the material I want to continue working with. I also have another recipe I’ll be testing out soon.

I’m using this blog to share my work, ideas, feelings, and overall experience as I return to grad school after a 20-year hiatus. Stay tuned for exciting updates, photos, and more. Thank you all for your support over the years—I’m excited to have you along for this journey!