Meet Nancy Gardner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Gardner.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have been working in clay since 1975. My husband Burt Isenstein and I have been making and selling our line of hand-built pottery here in Chicago and Oak Park since 1988. We have done wholesale, art fairs, and Etsy raised two boys and are about to build a new house and studio to continue our work. I have always wanted to make a living with my hands and that has been the constant in my life.

Please tell us about your art.
My work is about the look and feel of the hand. It is about the tradition of making things for everyday use. It is about the beauty of color and pattern, and how beautiful hand made objects can enrich life. Even when they are not functional, my pots refer to functional pottery.

As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
For me, the ability to go into the studio every day and work, making what I love to make is the end game. I am a little compulsive about making pottery so I feel very lucky that I can sell my production. Success is difficult to define and fleeting but I think mostly about persistence. There are a lot of ups and downs and you have to learn to roll with it.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I show at several art fairs around the country and I have a few galleries that carry my work. We sell a limited amount online.

Contact Info:

• Website: nancygardnerceramics.com
• Email: bisens@artic.edu
• Instagram: nancygardnerceramics
• Facebook: nancygardnerceramics

Image Credit:
Nancy Gardner
Larry Sanders

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