Today we’d like to introduce you to Philip Kupferschmidt.
Hi Philip, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My ceramics journey started in college at Cal State Fullerton. I was a creative photography major but got hooked on ceramics while taking it as an elective. I fell in love with the throwing on the wheel, the materiality of clay, and all the possibilities it lends itself to. It didn’t take long for me to come to the realization that this is what I wanted to do as a career. It was the nature of the work that just felt right to me. From then on, the majority of my time was spent in the ceramic facility, basically training. My ceramics professor Nobu Nishigawara, had just begun a handmade dinnerware business (WRF), myself and another student were his first hires. That’s where the real training began, and we trained hard. After completing my BFA, I took a year off and then went back to school for an MFA in ceramics. I was able to work as a ceramicist while going to school to learn more about ceramics. It was pretty perfect and gave me an incredible amount of preparation for when I would eventually start my own practice in 2020.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting your own business at the onset of the pandemic in 2020 was pretty scary, but it ended up being all right.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run a ceramics studio called PK Ceramics, and I specialize in gloopy, glaze pottery, and sculpted objects. I’m most proud that I’m actually able to do this as a job and that I didn’t fail to the people who have supported me along the way. I think my focus on the intersections between art, design, color, and functionalism have carved out a little niche for me and my practice.
What do you think about happiness?
My son, wife, cats, family, my job. I’m incredibly lucky.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.philipkupferschmidt.com/
- Instagram: _pk_ceramics
Image Credits
Philip Kupferschmidt
