Field Interview: Jamie Beaudry,
Salty Water Studios
Today's interview is with Jamie of Salty Water Studios. After interviewing Jamie, it is clear that she embraces all feelings, scents, sounds and sights of the sea. Her work reflects the magic of treasure hunting on the beach in an organic and artistic way. See Jamie’s work in person THIS SUNDAY, March 8th with Field of Artisans x Whalers Brewing Company, 11:30-4:30.
1. Your work reflects the treasures you used to find on the beach as a child. What are some of your favorite finds? What made them magical and inspirational?
I have always been inspired to make art out of my beach finds. I walk the beach on Prudence Island in front of my grandfather's house and find sea glass, crabs, dead horseshoe crabs, fish bones, animal bones, starfish, shells, buoys….You never know what you might find. I would collect them and bring them back to the house and make things with them. I’d glue them to driftwood, and paint the shells and starfish. I loved finding the horseshoe crabs, and fish bones because they were more rare to find and it seemed magical that those weird things were once alive and moving around in the water.
2. Your wind chimes are made up of multiple pieces that are connected by rope to form a shape. Do you plan the shape (mermaid, fish etc) ahead of time and then cut into pieces or do you make small pieces and then see how they will fit together?
I plan the shapes ahead of time. I roll out a thick slab of clay to start, then I draw the whole entire mermaid, fish, lobster, etc. and from there I cut parts of them into pieces, poke holes down the center and carve the details.
3. I love how your colors shimmer in the sun, just like the sea. Do you have to use a special type of glazing technique to achieve this effect? What is your go to color palette and shimmer color?
Some of the glazes I use are actually called shimmer glazes. They have shimmery/glittery specks in the glaze itself. So once the piece is fired, it will shimmer in the sunlight. I tend to choose colors that reflect the ocean, or have a beachy feel. Sometimes I also choose colors that you might find on a sunken pirate ship. Depends on the vibe of the piece I'm creating. My favorite shimmer glaze is the sapphire blue!
4. The horseshoe crabs you create are so realistic (of course with a little magic). Do you have real skeletons that you use to model your pieces in ceramics?
2 horseshoe crab sculptures I made from photo references and memory. I recently made a basic mold of my own sculptures to get the general shell form. Once the shell is hard enough to pop out of the mold, I carve and add the details, and create the tail separately. This way I can keep the size and proportions consistent since it is a complex form to create.
5. What made you decide to turn your inspirations into a business?
I have always loved to create art and give it to family and friends as gifts for special occasions. There were always little art fairs on the Island so I figured I should sell some of my art there since everyone loves receiving it as gifts. And it has grown ever since. I started making fish bones first for my grandfather's porch on Prudence Island and everyone started wanting them. Then I started making mermaids by request and they became very popular too.
6. Are you professionally trained in this technique? Or is this skill something you've developed on your own?
I Graduated from Rhode Island College with a degree in Art Education with a concentration in ceramics. Since I graduated in 2010, ceramics has still been a passion of mine. I also teach high school ceramics, so clay is my life!
7. Do you have a personal favorite piece that you have in your home that you could never sell?
I actually don’t, my mom thinks it's funny because I never hang up my own art in my home. I like to collect work by other artists. I do love to decorate the house and porch on Prudence Island. Since my grandfather passed away I bring stuff that I think he would love! I enjoy giving my art to those I love. It gives me a chance to see and enjoy my work at other people's homes.
8. What are some examples of custom work that you offer?
I get asked to make a lot of different things. One of my most popular personalized items are fish bones for wedding gifts. I carve the wedding date on one side of the fish head and the last name on the other. I have also done couples initials in the fish heads to hang in new homes, baby names inside a shell a mermaid is holding, and baby names carved into mini fish heads to give as Christmas presents or baby shower gifts. I have also done a sea turtle family with all family members' initials carved into each shell. People will contact me with different ideas for custom work and we work together to create their vision.
9. Any secret beach hunting places you want to share (don't reveal your top secret one ;)?
Not really any secret ones, I mostly walk the beaches on Prudence Island because I’m there a lot and it's my favorite place!
10. Dream collaboration? Can be a specific person, general person, company, etc. What would you create together?
That’s a really tough question… It would be cool to work with my friend Cara Boudreau on a piece together. Maybe a big wall design or installation. She is an amazing painter and artist. We could create a cool ocean inspired installation together to go in a home or business, like a ocean front hotel, around a fireplace, or anywhere!
See more of Jamie's work through her Instagram!