Luke Shalan shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Luke, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I think I wander along a path. This path has a general direction, but along the way there are many lookout points to veir off and enjoy, small trails to nowhere, that need to be explored, and undiscovered directions waiting to be found.
I always wander with wonder!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Sure… I am a ceramic artist based in Sugarloaf, CA. Living in the San Bernardino National Forest provides access to natural space that inspires much of my work. I look at myself as an observer of material reaction. I love the process of change, what we learn from it, and the unique results of working with a material that exists in so many forms.
I’ve worked with clay in many capacities: production pottery, fabrication, design, consultation and sculpture. Through the years of creating a life around my creative practice, Clay has always been my “true north” or my guiding light. Its an incredible material with an amazing history.
My business, Luke Shalan Techne (LST), explores this material in depth through sculpture, vessel and designed object. I enjoy creating pieces that reflect clay’s unique reactivity, embrace the materials natural tendencies and deep history, and hopefully ask the viewer/participant to look a little closer.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
A curious child, with no expectations except to exist to the fullest, enjoy, and try not to harm. The reality of life as you grow can be hard. Dreams don’t always come true and life can slap you right in the face. But, I try my best to keep that curious child alive and well, and I think choosing a creative career helps in that department.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, at times my “idea” of what LST should be felt unattainable. Or the work I was making was no longer interesting and rewarding, leading to burn-out.
Rather than looking at it as giving up though, I like to frame it as pivoting. In the moment it can definitely feel like giving up, but being able to pivot around my creative practice, and still see a positive outcome kept me moving forward during harder times, and allowed for me to keep my hands in clay and support a studio space to create in.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
This may be a little unorthodox, but rather than choosing a person with ideas, I’d like to thank CLAY for the ideas it’s provided me. I think the natural tendencies of clay have such an incredible way of showing, beauty, change, and effective tools for understanding the world around us.
I learn every day, from clay.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
When I’m surrounded by nature with my partner and our two dogs, or have my hands buried in the mud.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lukeshalantechne.com
- Instagram: @lukeshalan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukeshalan/
Image Credits
Brian Nolte (portraits)
Luke Shalan
