Today we’d like to introduce you to Noelle Allen.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Within the last 14 years, I have shown my artwork widely within the Chicago and greater Chicago area. I have consistently made artwork on a daily basis; I am always seeking to challenge myself to innovate across mediums and technologies. The daily articulations in the studio, rooted in formula, physicality, and materials are about the realization of long development processes and my commitment to play in the area between intuition and precision. Exploring investigational forms of mold making, experimental modes of production, and expanding my skill set in ceramics, most recently, has increased the visual vocabulary of my work. This has ultimately led me to develop a tiny custom ceramics business, Slowfire. Slowfire will incorporate the meaningful, exploratory practice of art with the larger goal to create functional vessels and custom sculptural pieces for the home. I work out of my home in Oak Park, IL and at Dominican University, where I am a full-time professor in sculpture and ceramics.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Making art is often a solitary journey alone in the studio. No one is telling me what to make and that can be both very freeing and very challenging. Learning to edit carefully is also a skill I work on cultivating.
Slowfire – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Slowfire is my custom, bespoke line of porcelain wares. I specialize in one-of-a-kind vessels and wall-mounted sculpture. Slowfire grew out of my own work as a fine artist in the last year.
I throw, build and fire all the work myself and most of the glazes are handmade.
Slowfire will also expand to include collaborations with other fine artists. At the moment, Karen Azarnia, a beautiful local painter, is hand painting vessels for a unique line.
By virtue of having been a fine artist and studio art professor for many years, I believe Slowfire is different than many ceramic lines because I approach production from a fine art perspective.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The best moments of my career have been making art with my sons.
Contact Info:
- Address: Slowfire
634 Carpenter Ave
Oak Park, IL - Website: noelleallen.com This is my fine art website. Slowfire is in the process of building a site.
- Phone: 773-936-0143
- Email: noelleallen@gmail.com
- Instagram: @slowfireceramics
Image Credit:
Noelle Allen
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