Michelle Gardella: The Five Question Interview

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024Leave a comment

Michelle Gardella is a photographer, cermacist, teacher, nature lover, and community builder. She lives in a magical cottage with her husband, two children, and dog Maple in in Smithville, Texas.

1. Why did you move to Smithville?

After leaving New England in our Airstream camper and traveling the country with our kids for a few years, we ended up in Austin. We stayed there for ten years, but my heart longed for small-town country living. When I visited Smithville for the first time, I wrote in my journal that I had stumbled upon the Vermont of Texas. I think I meant that the lines between the Earth and the people were blurred and the warmth of the community was unmistakeable. I bought our falling-apart cottage because I loved the Magnolia tree in the front yard and never looked back. I love it here with my entire heart.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

I don’t know a life of not being an artist. From my first memories of making mud bowls and “cooking” them under the dryer vents of my Grandma’s backyard, it was never a decision or a choice. Whatever exists in the intersection of nature, art, and healing is what my heart is made of, I guess. There have been times I have been compelled to stop creating in an effort to get a “real” job and be more normal, but that only lasts a short time before I come to my senses.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

Everyone should have a best friend over the age of 80.

Early morning walks are medicine.

My husband and children are my winning lottery ticket. I have no idea how I got so lucky to be loved by such incredible humans.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

I am working on a collection of folk-inspired plates and platters. I have been visiting the library weekly this summer, reading everything about spiritual botany that I can find. If it involves mushrooms, moss, rivers, or plant medicine, I’ll read it.

5. Cake or Pie?

All of it. My love of carbs is unwavering. 🙂

…….

In September Michelle is hosting a Photo Exhibition showcasing the photography by the participants of her Community Archive Project.

Read more about this amazing project and event here.

Instagram @michellegardella
Website michellegardella.com

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Friday Favorites: Summertime Blues, sweet music, and dandelion garland

June 9, 2023June 9, 2023Leave a comment

I’ve been busy carving and printing all kinds of cats on paper and textiles. Also, I’m having a moment with blue ink. I waited months for this tube of Prussian Blue and I intend to use it!

Season 3 of Happy Valley. This, and Shetland are up there in my top two British crime dramas. While they are both crime shows they are more about the grief and healing of the main character. Available on AcornTV and AMC+

These Pride Risograph greeting cards by Bromstad Printing Please check out her website. Her cards are all so wonderful… especially if cats are your jam.

This album by Sierra Ferrell is on constant repeat around our house these days. “Bells of Every Chapel” makes me so happy.

Remind me to try this dandelion garland next year. It’s so beautiful!

Laurène Elliott-Deyris: The Five Question Interview

October 12, 2022October 14, 2022Leave a comment

Laurène Elliott-Deyris is the owner of Terre Noire (French for Black Land) in Taylor, Texas. She is a clinically trained herbalist and her loose-leaf herbal tea blends, herbal extracts, and body care products are all made with the finest organic ingredients, she often grows or wildcrafts many of her herbs, including beeswax from her own hives.

Her ceramic art is botanically inspired, offering useful small dishes, spoons, and small bowls made from porcelain, black clay, and Taku-fired objects.

1. Why did you move to Taylor?

My husband and I moved from France to the Austin area to be closer to family in 2015. Not wanting to be in Austin proper, we found Taylor to be a good size for us with a lot of potential and knew it was going to be up and coming in the next few years. We were right! It’s a fun and quirky little town with good vibes and great people. We love being part of a community and supporting local businesses.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

For me, nature is an essential part of my creative process. Spending time with plants, swimming in natural bodies of water, walking in deep forests are all ways for me to resource myself, meditate and connect with the botanical world. I’ve worked in a few different mediums from photography to ceramics and the common theme in my work has always been nature inspired.