Meet R J | Clay Sculptress

We had the good fortune of connecting with R J and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi R, what inspires you?
I am inspired by life, by the universe and all of it’s complexities. There is always something to observe, learn, experience and create; because of this, I’ve never allowed myself to be boxed in to any one type of aesthetic. The vastness of deep space is just as interesting to me as the living root system of rainforest trees. Moving to Colorado has allowed me to explore nature through the seasons and has definitely influenced my art in many ways. As a clay artist, I have been able to capture colors, textures and details seen all around me frozen forever in time and I think that’s pretty special. Life and nature have also inspired my ability to push through failed experiments. Sometimes the dry grasslands have to experience a wildfire in order to create the enrichment of soil from the ashes that will grow a more lush environment in the future. Artists are a lot like scientists in this way, we need our ideas to fail in order to teach us more about the process we’re conducting and ultimately how to create the best version of our ideas as possible.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Although in my personal life I’m an artist in many medias, I chose with work with polymer clay for my business because it’s as dynamic as my artwork. I feel as though I am only beginning to scratch the surface of what’s possible to create with polymer clay and I’m excited for what I will be able to make in the future based on what I’ve already been able to accomplish. I actually keep a running list of anything that I think would be fun to make and if it’s also functional, it get’s moved to the top of the list. Something that I believe sets me apart from others is the motivation I have to actualize a customer’s idea or vision and it’s why creating custom sculptures are my favorite. The best moments for me as an artist is to hear how well I was able to replicate someone’s exact thought, it’s fun and it makes me feel like I make magic.
My business is small, but growing and I’m more and more thankful for it everyday. There are always challenges to overcome and just when I think I’ve mastered some, I’m met with many more. I think the 2 most difficult challenges I have faced so far are trying to work through my imposter syndrome and the fact that in my core, I am a creative above a businesswoman. I create for creations sake and sometimes it can make it difficult for me to gauge the value of my work in terms of money and since I convinced myself I wasn’t a truly good artist, I often sold myself short in the beginning.
The combination of these ideas and the want to overcome them was actually a large driving force behind the creation of The Claylypso, who is a brand as much as a fragment of myself. I always loved the feeling of seeing a piece of my work in someone else’s life, to see them be joyful over what I created from my own brain, with my own hands, and I wanted to give myself permission to live that feeling out loud, so I gave my creative self a name. I gave TheClaylypso space to exist, a platform to share and value for all that we are and do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One of my favorite things about living in CO is just how much there is to do all year long, yes even in the winter! First and foremost, the absolute best thing to do is get in nature. Go for a hike, skip rocks in a stream, talk to the trees, stargaze, be still in your own silence and listen to the abundance of life around you. There’s something significant and healing in immersing yourself in nature, our minds and bodies are reset when we spend time outside.
Our #1 eating spot in Denver has to be the Denver Milk Market on Wazee Street. Think elaborate food court where every restaurant has a completely different aesthetic and there’s almost every food option in one place. I’m talking huevos rancheros for breakfast, chicken and waffles for brunch, pizza with truffle oil for lunch, unagi glazed salmon poke bowl for dinner with a drink from the bar and mini donuts, trust me you won’t regret it.
Ten Penny and Goldmine Vintage are 2 of my favorites to visit in Denver, they’re both on N Broadway and have an awesome, yet different collection of vintage pieces to buy. Ten Penny is a little gem for finding some vintage comics.
The Wizard’s Chest is probably my all time favorite game store. This place is 2 stories of collectibles, costumes, stuffed toys, trading cards, board games, novelties and more. It’s truly a nerdy person’s fantasy and I LOVE it. I can and have spent hours in The Wizard’s Chest finding beginner’s games for my toddler, unique dice sets, RPG minis and new games for our game nights. They even have a game room for customer’s to reserve for themselves and a game night every week where anyone can go and participate in playing some of the games they offer if you wanted to try it before purchasing. Even if you’re someone who doesn’t do a lot of gaming in any way, this place has so many hidden treasures for the overall fantasy lover. It’s definitely worth a visit.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband definitely deserves the biggest shoutout EVER! I have always been so incredibly lucky to have his love and support. Being a stay-at-home mother trying to create and run a business is extremely overwhelming, but my husband steps to and surpasses the plate every time. He believes in me more than myself and will always push me to accomplish the things I want in life even if I think I’m incapable. He will help me find solutions to my problems, even if that means just fighting off my own insecurities, and encourages me to maintain my personal identity outside of my role for other people. I also have to include my daughter, even though she’s a toddler and has no idea how she influences me everyday, I couldn’t do anything without her. She reminds me to be patient, understanding, silly and she gives the best hugs ever, the healing kind. I’m amazed at how much I can learn from watching my daughter interact with the world. Fueling her curiosity fuels mine and provides an opportunity to be more fluid in my perspectives. I truly believe my life is more fulfilled with those two.

The last person I must absolutely give recognition to is my wonderful mother. Not only did she birth and raise me, but she’s still a huge part of my life 30 years later. My mother is my best friend, I can talk to her about anything without fear of being shamed or judged, she helps support my business in any way she can and she’s the best grandmother in the world. My mom has allowed me to grow completely into the person that I am today and has accepted me through every stage of that growth. I truly hope I can be an inspiration and personal refuge for my daughter when she’s grown, the same way my mother is for me.

Website: theclaylypso.com

Instagram: instagram.com/theclaylypso