Emerging Artists: Found My People

Camie Fenton
8 sept
3 Min. de lectura

By Mark Andrew

Growing up in a smallish Midwestern town I had a typical upbringing. I always say, “I had a normal childhood but I never felt normal.” Normal felt boring, I wanted to explore people, places and things! I was fortunate to attend a high school that valued art education, and I took every class I could. Painting, jewelry making, batik, weaving (it was the 70s after all) and l excelled at many of them. The basic classes you have to take were, well, basic, but in art class, I had found my people. Creative, fun, with instructors who had such interesting lives outside of school.

I continued my education at The Harrington Institute of Interior Design in Chicago. Once again, I had found my people, times a million! After graduating my career took me in several directions. Professional make-up artistry, retail management and when I moved to Los Angeles many years later, interior design, closet design, professional organizing and vintage/antique resale.

My first visit to San Miguel was in 1995, and like many before me and since, it was love at first sight. The culture, the architecture, the colors! So, different than anything in the US certainly. I visited 3 more times throughout the years and in 2018 decided to make San Miguel my permanent home. Shortly after moving to San Miguel I took a pottery class on a whim. I had never touched clay in my life but when the 3-hour class had ended I had created a tall, beautiful textured vase. I was hooked! I signed up for classes immediately and was quickly immersed in, you guessed it, my people. I had stumbled into a wonderful community of artists from all corners of the world, many with fascinating past lives and careers.

My work in ceramics has always been influenced by nature, architecture, the simplicity of Asian design and my passion for travel. While I wholeheartedly believe in the quote by famed Chicago Architect Louis Sullivan, “Form follows Function.” I believe something functional can also be beautiful. Finding a niche for contemporary ceramics in the land of Talavera was surprisingly easy, thanks to the diversity of San Miguel and its thirst for the unique and beautiful. Now, as owner and curator of Galería Potranca I want to help other artists discover their hidden talents, exhibit their art and find their people.

Galería Potranca will host two openings this month: Friday September 12^thand Friday September 26^th 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p. m. when we will celebrate our one year anniversary and Mexican Independence! Featured artists this month:

Carlos and Cynthia Rendón, the brother/sister creative force behind Azure y Happy Mode, Contemporary Mexican Jewelry grew up in culturally-rich México City. A designer and a marketer, both came with an idea to create and tell stories through their jewelry. With talleres in both Mexico City and San Miguel they work in sterling silver, 14K, 24k gold and semi-precious stones. Each piece is hand-crafted to make a statement. Their current collection at Galería Potranca is inspired by the works of famed artists; Jackson Pollock, Miró and Mondrian just to name a few. “Jewelry is art, and all art is timeless.”

azureandhappymode.com

For photographer Christina Ross it was her love of art that initially drew her to San Miguel from the Bay Area of California and making it her permanent home along with her dog Jack in 2020. Once settled in, Christina intended to start painting again but quickly found herself roaming the colorful streets of San Miguel taking photographs. For years Christina had been saying “In another life I’d like to be a photographer.” Very different from her life in sales and marketing. One day someone here said to her “why not in this life?” That was it! For Christina photography allows her to wander, pause, reflect and capture images that amuse, inspire and move her.

christinarossphotography.com

Additional artists in residence this month include: Josué Guerrero Silva, painting, drawing and ceramics; Hugo García, hand-made jewelry; Iven Kelley-Dobson, mixed media masks; Debbie Anderson, hand-cut Book Art; Sandra Esquivel, hand-made jewelry; Kristos Lezama, painting and drawing; Johnnie Boswell, fabric art and 3D mixed media; Linda Mefford, painting and sculpture; and Charlie Rose, hand blown glass art.