Dariel Buczek: Pottery

I can barely remember when art was not a part of my life. My father always had a Bluegrass band and my mother painted almost everyday. As the oldest of four children, we were always given paints, canvases, and paper and encouraged to create whatever our hearts desired. We were encouraged “ not” to copy and to play with the medium. Our parents made sure we were not sitting around watching TV, but either outside or creating something inside. I chose to major in Economics and Marketing at Wake Forest University, taking Art courses on the side, as I felt supporting myself with my art might be too difficult.

When I was a teenager I would sell my work to make spending money. I sold my work at Art Gallery Originals and at that time the beginnings of Secca was in old Salem and I would sell my little monoprints there.

Upon graduating from Wake Forest, I married a wonderful man, a Wake Forest Golfer. Our life and jobs took us all over the world. I managed to take art classes wherever we lived, and expressed my creativity in my husband’s golf shops. We were fortunate enough to win several National awards for our work.

My work inspiration comes from my heart. With every pot or painting I make, coming from the joy of creating. Thereby hopefully putting the joy in every piece of work. I feel I just let a piece happen. This process takes place in stages. I will usually work on several pieces at a time. Somehow that is usually three pieces at a time. Rarely do I create piece after piece of the same work; but get a new idea and try something different and new.

One has to be as creative at the business side as the art. Since I have become a full time artist recently, I have tried to dedicate a part of each day to the business aspect of the art. The computer has added a dimension to the artist life.

Art will always be a part of my life and sharing, teaching and producing brings me great pleasure.

My training in pottery started with Warren Moyer at the Sawtooth in Winston-Salem, NC. I have attended Penland School of Craft in Penland, NC six times and have worked toward my Masters Degree in conjunction with Western Carolina University there. At Penland I have studied with some of the masters of the industry. I have studied at Coconut School of Art, in Miami, Florida, and spent 2 years studying in Port Chester , N.Y .at Clayart Studio. I have also studied under a master potter at Clay Habit Studio, in Jenson Beach, Fla. Under Mia Lindburg. I have exhibited my work also at the Sawtooth Gallery, in Winston-Salem,NC, The Ashe Street Art Gallery and Studio, West Jefferson, NC, Penland School of Art, Penland, NC, the Clayart Studio, Port Chester,NY, Associated Artist of Winston-Salem, NC, and Community Arts Café, Winston-Salem, NC

My advise to newcomers is to find a mentor, as my Mother, and patrons to praise your creations, no matter how poor you think your initial efforts might be. Beginning art is like riding a bicycle, the more you ride the better you get. Just have no fear and have fun.