Teya Kepila
Teya Kepila is a Brooklyn-based ceramic artist and creative, encouraging a message of mindfulness curated by a holistic approach to life by connecting art with wellness. In sharing intentional pieces for a ritualistic lifestyle, she emphasizes slow living and deep gratitude. Through her use of clay, she balances the art of earth's elements with the expression of small positive habits for a more wholesome life. Teya has created an online community where it is safe to practice vulnerability by sharing real moments of her mental health journey and the many small ways to develop a deeper relationship with one's self through art-making. In this interview, Teya elaborates on her art and lifestyle practices that emphasize connection with community and wellbeing.
How did your creative journey begin?
My creative journey began when I was a little girl and watched my mom paint on large canvases. Following in her footsteps, I started out with acrylic paint and slowly made my way into several other crafts working with jewelry, then clothes, and now ceramics. I took 3 years of hand-building ceramics classes in high school and did not pick it up again till mid pandemic. I felt I needed a challenge and a way to tune into myself so I taught myself the wheel. I remember showing up to the machine for the first time, having only seen a few videos on throwing, and pretending to go through it like it was natural to me. I was quickly humbled and felt each throw session was a workout considering how much I would sweat while holding my breath, clenching my muscles, and hunching over the wheel. A few months into my self-taught journey, I began to relax at the wheel and find a similar flow to throwing as one would find in yoga. My mind feels buttery like the clay and my body feels relaxed watching the clay dance on the wheel head.
What inspires your work?
I find the simple things in life spark my intention for the next piece. When designing, I look at what I use every day or what could help spark a deeper presence in stillness. I like to highlight a slower morning routine taking time to care for your body and mind by crafting incense dishes, mugs, tea cups, small vases, etc. A mug is something that feels so relatable because we each have our favorite cup to sip out of whatever the beverage may be. Recently, my inspiration has been the processing of emotions and the practice of feeling your feelings. I channel that into my work to share a message of compassion for self as we explore the realms of the feelings that greet us throughout the day and in many circumstances. There are little pockets during the day that lead you to practice love and I like to believe that the pieces I share will help make the connection to love and gratitude a little easier.
Can you describe your process?
My process begins with a lesson I want to embody. I usually connect with a design or concept birthed from a more situational space. As I share my life through the lens of social media, I am actively strengthening the relationship with self and sharing how we each can be more gentle with our practices whether that be through food or mindful habits. Once I have a design in mind, I will head over to the wheel or plop down at my desk in my apartment and get crafting. Building a collection takes me about a month to make, creating the piece, letting them dry, firing them into bisqueware, glazing them, firing them once more, and photographing them. I thoroughly enjoy the duties as a small business owner because of the ripple of love I get to send out in. I wear all of the hats in the process and as of now, I am grateful to oversee each step of the way. In the future, I would consider onboarding a small team of beautiful people who align with this same message.
How has your work evolved over time?
My work evolves with my self-development. Because the work is a direct reflection of my personal lessons, each piece has made its way through a moment in time that felt important enough to express through clay. Naturally, over time I am finding my inner critic voice a little louder and with that comes the opportunity to love deeper. As I find my way into new techniques and designs, I, like many other artists, feel a sense of perfectionism creep in which I have allowed to be released by trusting the flow of creation throughout the years. My designs aim to be timeless but feel relevant to relate to because of the message that it represents.
Can you describe a creative day?
A day spent creating is usually kicked off with morning meditation, journaling, vitamins, and a giant smoothie. My work is a true and tried reflection of my self-practices that demonstrate slow mindful living. I love to make my personal self-care practice a nonnegotiable sacred time that I can turn to and allow the conscious fluff or stagnant thoughts to have space to process. I usually dedicate a full day to a certain step in the small-batching process like trimming, reclaiming, or throwing.
Do you have any words of wisdom for other artists and creatives?
I can only give advice that I constantly need to hear myself which is: There is always enough room for you and your magic. There is always at least one person in this world that is looking for exactly what you create. Do not overthink your work, you will be your worst critic so try not to take yourself too seriously. Keep allowing the energy flow even if it may seem "pointless" or "odd". We create from an everflowing state of consciousness and so for as long as we are here, we are expanding our hearts and minds as we learn what life is all about.
