Month: April 2022

 

On our most recent campaign shoot, we took an unforgettable trip to Joshua Tree, where we had the privilege of meeting a community of talented creators – the scuplturist Gubby Beck being one of them. Here, we talk to Gubby about her work with steel, the creative process and the women she admires. 

 

 

After graduating and travelling around the US, what made you want to reside here in Joshua Tree? 

My boyfriend took me on a trip out to Joshua Tree and I fell in love with the area! There are rockscapes that look like you’re standing on Mars and trees that look like they belong in a Dr. Seuss novel. I felt like the desert had so much inspiration in the landscape alone, and the space for me to create my larger sculpture installations again.    

How do you source your inspiration behind the designs of your sculptures? 

Often I’ll walk around my shop and tinker through my found rusty scraps until I find an object that has something to it – whether I see a hidden face within it or see use for a potential base. Other times I’ll start with a sketch or general idea of what I want to create. I have sketchbooks filled with various ideas that can also always evolve, which leaves endless possibilities for my creations.  

 

 

Can you tell us a bit more about the process of creating your steel sculptures and the work that goes into them?  

My work varies so each process is a bit different. I love creating in my own surreal world, building mazes that include recognisable objects but are warped into another dimension. Often, I create images from life, such as landscapes I’ve seen. I also build bodies of work in the abstract realm. These creations stem from experimenting with the found materials, bending and welding the steel into multiple pieces, and creating either flowing organic forms or triangular shapes.  

What have been some of your favourite pieces to create?  

My favourite pieces to create are either my miniature scenes, my scorpions or my eyes. These three collections are ongoing and ever-evolving, as well as my most recognisable works of art.   

How do you prepare yourself to start creating something new? 

If I have a commission or planned idea, I sketch out my design first in my sketchbook, then on my welding table. This helps me scale out my design and have me ready for bending steel. I am constantly starting new sculptures, even before finishing others. Sometimes when you step away from something and come back, you see what it really needs.  

Who are the women who inspire you?  

I’m grateful to have been surrounded by inspiring and powerful women my whole life. Starting with my mother, the real-life superwoman. She’s a strong career woman able to lead a team, while also being a loving mother to her kids at home. Being a first-generation American, I’ve seen how my parents were able to grow and build a life for our family – I strive to be able to do that for my future family. Other inspirations would be Brie Larson as Captain Marvel. I love superhero comic books and she is a strong, powerful hero saving people throughout galaxies, as well as being Brie Larson, an empowering female icon in the real world.      

Follow Gubby on her Instagram @gubbybeck. 

Discover the Back To Origin Collection. 

 

The Californian desert inspired our latest collection and provided the mesmerising backdrop for its campaign shoot. Whilst there, we met a number of truly inspirational artists and makers whose stories we just had to share. Here, we chat to Bailey Jones – founder of Sage Ceramics – about working with earth, creative intuition and the magical energy of her Joshua Tree surroundings.

 

 

What drew you to become a potter?  

Pottery kind of snuck up on me. I took one class in college, dropped all my courses and only took Studio. Haven’t looked back since.  

You’ve described shaping wet, raw earth into functional pieces of art as setting your soul on fire (which we love, by the way). How do you draw inspiration for each piece?  

I find inspiration everywhere, but most of my work is heavily inspired by the nature around me. Clay is earth that has yet to find its permanent form. Clay holds the same energy and vibration as the giant rocks of Joshua Tree around me. I’m really lucky in my craft, that if I just lean into my intuition, the clay really does the work for me.   

You’re based in one of the most beautiful places on earth. How does the magical energy of Joshua Tree inspire your designs? 

Joshua Tree is a special kind of trippy place. The energy here is active. I find myself thinking of something only to have it manifested later that day. Joshua tree doesn’t just inspire you – it changes you. The land here helps you to be who you want to be. And that’s exactly what it’s done with my pots.   

We’re constantly pushing our materials and process to try to be as sustainable as possible. Where do you source your materials from?  

I buy my clay locally in southern California from a family-owned business. Leftover and scrap clay is recycled and made into new pieces. Each piece is made in my hands – there’s no industrial production in Sage Ceramics’ future.   

Your studio is a little tack room in Joshua Tree that you share with the horses and goats who live with you. Can you talk us through your space?  

I’m very lucky to have been surrounded by animals most of my life. We are California country people for sure. My grandma was that hot chick in a black Cadillac at the rodeo, so it was very natural to have goats on the living room couch growing up. Luckily, every Saturday and Sunday, Bill and Joanne bring my favourite goat to Mane Street. I just pop out of The Pioneertown Pottery Shop and get full snuggles.  

What are your plans for this year – any interesting projects we should look out for?  

This year is all about big impactful pieces. Large fountains, lighting – statement pieces that started on the pottery wheel. As I move into a larger studio space, I’ll be moving to pieces with a little more awe.   

Who are the women who inspire you?   

All women inspire me!  A fellow artist out here told me once: “In the desert, the men are trash, but the women are amazing”.  Some of my biggest motivators are the women in my community.   

Follow Bailey on her Instagram @sageceramics.

Discover the Back To Origin Collection.