In the late 80s, around Thanksgiving, I was at a craft show at the Walter Gerrells Civic Center, and saw there a potter named Dave Barnett.
Many folks will remember him; he was a teacher with the Carlsbad Public Schools for many years, a highly talented clay artist and painter. He was selling his beautiful pottery vessels, and I asked him about pottery and if there was a place in Carlsbad that offered classes. He told me about the Pottery Studio, where it was located, the times it was open to the public, and he encouraged me to check it out. About a month later, it was Christmas, and I decided to give myself a present: three months at the Pottery Studio. I showed up on the first Tuesday after New Year’s Day, 1988. The instructor was Teddy Norman, and I became addicted!
In 2006, I stopped doing pottery and went back to college to finish my nursing degree, graduated, went to work, and retired four years ago. When I retired, I gave myself one week off then headed to the studio the very next week. It was like reconnecting with an old friend.
In my opinion, there is a need in everyone to be creative, and I find that when I yield to that need, I have a better outlook on life, and things click into place.
I find inspiration all around me, in nature, being quiet, and being around other artists. I enjoy being around other like-minded people, people who have a passion for their art form.
My ideal working environment is to be alone. In reality, the environment I find to be the most conducive is a combination of chaos and quiet. I have a studio at my home, but I am drawn to the Pottery Studio. There is laughter, talking, telling stories, and creativity being allowed to flow. I love getting my hands in the clay. Most of the time when I sit down to the wheel, I know what I am going to do, and then there are times after I pray, I change directions. Working with clay will definitely challenge you each time you sit down to throw at the wheel or hand build. There is joy in learning how to make something as simple and useful as a coffee cup or glass as well as developing a piece for an art show. I have enjoyed learning about different clays, different glazes, and how they work or do not work on a clay body when firing the clay. The end result you get when you open the kiln is almost like opening presents on Christmas morning.
Carlsbad is blessed to have a lot of talented artists. I would encourage any artist to continue to develop their art. If a person has stopped painting, fiber art, or whatever their preferred medium, drag out your paints, your fabric, and allow your creativity to start flowing again. Get involved in the local art community, and take a class! Since getting back into clay again, I have branched out and taken classes that have been offered by CAAA, such as painting, diamond painting, and calligraphy, but I still prefer clay.
If you have ever wanted to try pottery, we would love to have you come to the Pottery Studio at 404 School St. (behind Jefferson Montessori), open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 am–12:00 pm, and Tuesday and Thursday evening, 6:00–8:00 pm. My work can be seen at The Artist Gallery, 120 S.
Canyon.vickiltrout@gmail.com
575-706-1443
Article written by Vicki Trout and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2025 Summer edition.
