Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel McCabe.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Daniel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was studying biology at Eastern Illinois University, but near the end of my freshman year (2000) I completely switched gears after I was offered grapes served in an amazing ceramic bowl. I couldn’t stop admiring it, and came to find out, it was handmade. I couldn’t believe someone could make something so remarkable out of a lump of clay.
Inclined toward the arts anyway, I decided to change my major to 3D Art, and have been throwing pots ever since. As an undergrad I had the mentorship of Dwain Naragon, an EIU professor, and after graduation the opportunity to apprentice with Michael Schweggman (Boneyard Pottery) in Champaign/Urbana, IL. These experiences solidified my desire to do whatever I could to make pottery and ceramic arts the center of my professional life. I went to graduate school for a Master’s in Art Education, and currently teach ceramics and photography at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, IL. This career allows me to share my love of pottery with students, as well as provides me with the time I need to produce my own work.
While I originally produced my work under the name of Running Dog Pottery (I knew I’d have to be running-dog tired to get it all done!), I recently changed my business name to McCabe Clay.
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?
Ultimately, it has been a smooth road. By that I mean, I’ve always loved the process of making pots, and I never lost my passion or shifted into the feeling of it being “work.” With that said, making pottery is a very time consuming process, it’s costly to repair and maintain equipment, and making sales is not always easy.
Because I am also a husband and parent, finding the balance between full-time work, pottery production, and family time, can be challenging. One way I’ve been able to make it all work is by keeping my studio at home. This means little bits of my pottery studio are all around my house… my wheel is in the basement, I glaze in the laundry room, I fire in the garage. This has potentially been the biggest challenge to overcome- the production process is somewhat inefficient and chaotic.
BUT! I’m in the process of building a new garage/studio space right now! This will put my entire workspace in one self-contained area.
Please tell us about McCabe Clay.
I am the owner, potter, social media/marketing team, accountant, janitor, repair man… you name it, I do it! Mostly, though, I specialize in making pots. I have recently re-fallen-in-love with drawing, and have been using my pots as canvases for my drawings. I have always thought of my pots as little usable pieces of art- meant to be handled and used, bringing an element of artfulness to everyday occurrences.
My most recent work has been described as “whimsical,” and I really like the feeling that invokes. I’ve always admired artists and writers like Tim Burton and Shel Silverstein- people who make everyday things seems extraordinary. I have been really inspired by flowers, so most of my current drawings are flowers. I like to combine my own drawings with decals I purchase and collage them onto simple forms that hopefully transform the way a mug can feel in your hand, or a vase can look on a shelf.
As far as what sets me apart…? I have the beauty of always being able to do what speaks to me in any given moment. I’m not tethered to a specific design or style; I don’t have to mass produce. I have the privilege of being able to do exactly what feels right to me at any given time. This makes my work authentic, and I think people can see that.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mccabeclay.com
- Phone: 773.304.6804
- Email: dan@mccabeclay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mccabeclay/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mccabeclay/
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