We had the good fortune of connecting with Carolina Cortella and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Carolina, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
It has definitely improved over time, but as a creative professional working for myself, it’s hard and demands a big effort to take some time off. I have two creative jobs with intensive workloads, so I need to prioritize time off to recharge and appreciate what I have, but to be honest it’s been tricky and challenging.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

Like I mentioned before I have two professions that keep me busy. I’m from Buenos Aires where I graduated as a Film Director and have been working in advertising, so I spend a lot of time on the computer researching images and designing treatments.

I also never imagined that I was going to discover ceramics when I moved to LA, but that’s what happened! Ceramics is such an interesting medium to experiment and express myself creatively. I really appreciate how present I need to be while I’m making pieces and how important it is to respect the time that each process takes, it’s very grounding and humbling. I think another element that helps to integrate both jobs is that one is mostly digital and ceramics is an actual 3D object that is tangible where I can see the marks of my hands in it and it can transcend in time for generations and generations. Ceramics have taken a bigger place in my life in the past years and I have set up a studio at home, which allows me to use my time more efficiently than going to an outside studio. I have been pushing my work and exploring different techniques apart from the wheel and creating more organic shapes, I’m having so much fun now making these lamps that are more sculptural forms. I’m very excited about my new kiln and the ability to be more in control of my production. My biggest focus now is taking my ceramic work to the next level and starting selling more pieces. I started doing markets, which have been a great way to expand my network and now I’m working on my website to start online sales.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Highland Park, very close to York and there are great things nearby, except for the beach of course. I’d treat my friends with my favorite pizza from Town Pizza!

Next morning we’d get donuts (apple fritters is my fave) from Donut Friend and a cup of coffee from a bloc or collage. We’d get a delicious poke bowl at Eagle Rock poke. At the evening, we’d get a glass of wine at Holcomb bar, which has this amazing aged manchego cheese

As for cultural activities I’d take them to the Autry, the Lacma, the Craft Contemporary, The Broad, the Heritage Square Museum. We’d go to all my favorite hikes. Maybe to a concert.

I love the beach and I’m always down to go. We could go surfing in Topanga and get fish and chips at the Reel in or if we feel like getting back in the car, Malibu Seafood.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband who has always been very supportive and the best partner in crime I could’ve ever chosen!

My beautiful mom in Argentina who is always there for me and my husband’s family who are very supportive as well and love my ceramics!

Specially shout out to my friends Mariana, Kelsey, Kath and Celine who have supported me a lot during this journey.

Shout out to these ceramic studios that have helped me all the way here:

Clay Ca
The Bitter Root Pottery
The Pottery Studio

These ceramic studios:

Clay Ca
The Bitter Root Pottery
The Pottery Studio

Website: carolinacortella.com

Instagram: @carocortella

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