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Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” I was thinking about Picasso’s words during my conversation with today’s guest, Haven Tunin, a young potter I met at a show in Ann Arbor last fall.
Haven comes to pottery by way of discovering a gift for art, specifically painting and drawing, during high school. In college, she fell in love with pottery. She recently decided that her passion for pottery is so great she intends it to be the way she makes a living.
Since she started throwing, Haven has become fascinated by the way pottery feeds her creative drive. She can come to the potter’s wheel, she says, and even if she’s not in an especially great mood, working the clay begins to lighten her. She loves listening to rap music as she works creating unique mugs, bowls, vases, and lately, sculptures, which she talks about.
She also talks about the business of art which is something a lot of creatives who want to make a living off their craft discover is not easy. Haven learned through trial how to account for her supplies and price her work.
Though young, Haven has the presence of an older soul too. She has a perspective that seems to be borne out of maturity. For example, Haven takes each piece to its maximum form but also says, “Not every piece is destined for this world” meaning, she knows the pieces can also fail their promise and that’s okay. You can always start over, she says.
Haven is as engaging and funny and humble as any artist I’ve met. I am encouraged by her perspective on art, creativity, and the world. I hope you are as well.
Links:
Haven on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haven.tunin/
On Shopify: https://haven-tunin-studios.myshopify.com/
Intro & Outro Music by Wildes: https://www.wildesmusic.com/