Natalya Sots
Natalya Sots
Natalya Sots is a fantastic artist with an outstanding imagination. She plays with form, function and color to bring out the most eccentric and playful pieces.
We originally featured her Cat Jester on an earlier post and we just had to learn more about Natlaya and her work.
So without any delay … here is Natlaya Sots, teacher, oil painter and ceramic artist.
My name is Natalya Sots, an artist originally from Pavlodar, Kazakhstan but I live in Chicago’s suburb of Schaumburg since 2002. I got started as an artist in high school when I worked a ceramics factory where I decorated the dishes before they were glazed and fired. I continued this work while attending school at the University of Semipalatinsk where I completed a degree in Art Education. During my education, I was exposed to all media used by artists (pen and ink, oil on canvas, stone sculpture, pencil, etc.) but enjoyed oil painting the most. To this day I love to paint with oil or acrylic paints, but due to space limitations since moving from Kazakhstan to Chicago’s suburb of Schaumburg and leaving everything behind, I have stayed with ceramics.
Mad Hatter Teacup and Teapot
Prior to graduation from college, I started working as an art teacher at a private art school in Pavlodar. I taught at the school from 1990 through 2002. While teaching, I was asked to develop a program for the younger children that would be interesting to them and also allow them to develop their skills and talents as emerging artists. I was given a course in ceramics as the medium to introduce these children to the wonderful world of art, and was asked to develop a program for it. I developed my technique and style while working on the program for kids. Many of my students have gone on to become interior decorators, architectural designers, and artists themselves as well as my friends.
2 Piece Red Teapot
How did you first discover clay as a creative medium?
When I was in Highschool I had a job working in a ceramics factory decorating dishes. It was work that I enjoyed and wanted to pursue further.
Have you worked with other mediums?
Yes, Degree in Art Education, established Oil and Acrylic painter in my home country Kazakhstan. I have worked with many media – making traditional costumes for play productions put on by my students, making hand puppets for student productions, mixed media, painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor), and drawing. Before coming to America, I was a featured artist for many museum exhibition, and even had the pleasure of having my students work displayed.
Ladybug Teacup and Plate
Why did you choose to work with clay?
Space limitations – we live in a small apartment, so I don’t have room for a full painting studio, but can manage with ceramics since my pieces are smaller. Besides, when you work with clay, you never want to stop.
How long have you been creating professionally?
Since around 1990.
How would you describe your art or your style?
My work is almost all brightly colored, with some pieces being in a ‘patchwork’ design of muted earthenware colors. I use earthenware clays (both red/brown and white) using slab and pinch methods depending on the piece and its size. On my colorful pieces, I use a lot of underglaze in different colors to give a more brilliant color when finished and opaque colored glazes. I see, and treat, ceramics as both a 3-d media like sculpture, and as a 3-dimensional canvas for painting on.
Sunshine Girl Butterdish
What is your favorite piece(s) you have created?
I really have enjoyed a new series of pieces I have just completed. I call it “Sunshine Girl” that includes a teapot, several cups and matching plates, and even a butter dish. These pieces were made from white earthenware clay and pinched into shape. Once the clay has partially dried, I apply little clay appliqués, scribe the outlines with a wooden scribe, and use a very small trimming tool to make a dimpled texture surface where I wish it to be. Once the etching, trimming, and scribing is finished to my satisfaction, I allow it to dry, apply underglaze in several colors, let that dry, then do the initial firing to cone 05. Once it has been bisque fired and cooled, I apply the colored and clear glazes to finish the product that I envision in my mind. The result is what you see here.
Sunshine Girl Teapot in progress
What is it about this piece that makes it stand out in your mind?
The sun is my favorite subject. After a long, dreary, cold, Chicago winter, it’s time for some sun, brightness, and happiness. I made this piece to bring a little sunshine and brightness into our home as well as customers homes.
Sunshine Girl Teapot
What inspires you?
Nature, the Sun, my family, and life in general.
Do you listen to music while you create? If so, what?
I do generally listen to music when I’m working late at night. This is usually lighter music such as Nina Simone and other jazz, classical guitar, and light rock such as Abba, and Boris Grebenshikov.
What is your studio or work space like? (pictured below)
I don’t have a regular studio, so I use the kitchen/dining room table and a corner of the living room for storage and workspace.
Do you have any tips for working in your medium?
Follow your heart and try, try, try, until you get the results you are looking for.
Natalya's Workspace
Thank you Natalya
Thank you, Natalya, for taking the time to answer a few questions and sharing your photographs of your work.
Don’t forget to check out Natalya’s art at her Etsy shop natalyasots.etsy.com and her personal web site www.nsots.com for any up coming art shows and festivals in the Chicago area. Natalya also has a Flickr Stream.
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