Meet Lisa Reardon | Artist & mom

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

Hi Lisa, as a parent, what have you done for your children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
My girls are a big part of my studio practice. They wander in and out. Sometimes we make together, sometimes they just come to chat or ask me something or annoy me on purpose ( like begging for ice cream on a random a Tuesday) They know that mommy has no ( creative) rules in the studio! They can play and mess and have fun. My eldest is learning to not take herself too seriously through making. My youngest is just never ending with cute, sometimes dark ideas! We collaborate. We bounce ideas off each other. Children are all artists. I want them to teach me how to keep that thing, that pure artists spirit that the world seems to kill as we all grow up. What is that elusive ‘thing’ called?

They have to be quite independent and self sufficient right now. I’m suddenly so busy and always working. It’s a sacrifice being a mom, being an artist mom. I have to work around my family. I take the moments in between soccer runs and softball games. I think like many parents have learned over covid times-working from home has pros and cons. I am constantly working on the balance of life. I make mistakes sometimes- someone needs a cuddle and I didnt give it that day-and that sucks, but also, that is maybe just how life is. And we learn, and we grow together-and hopefully next time we will do something just a little bit better. Next time they will communicate to me better that they need a hug or I will slow down a little more and check in on them more closely.
Thank goodness my husband and I co-parent and that helps a lot! Making quality time for them is harder now. I just want them to be proud of me. I hope they look back and will understand this. My love for them is so deep. 💓💓 Art is life!

New rule: no scooters allowed in the studio!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I immigrated to the US from South Africa in 2016. My husband, Steve and our 2 little girls. At the time they were 1 and a half and 3 years old. We sold everything. We left everyone we loved. Luckily, my husband managed to get in to a Masters Business program at Stanford university, called MSx ( like a MBA for more experienced people) so we had a relatively easy settling in story. I come from a fashion career in South Africa, but couldn’t work for the first 2 years because I was on my husbands visa, so I had some time to really start playing with clay! The rest is history.

Now, almost 7 years on-my sculptures rely heavily on experimentation and playful discovery. Glaze often becomes form and clay becomes surface. My process really begins after the work is fired. Then I start repeated rounds of breaking the work, rearranging, reattaching, and glazing. The shapes begin to form directly from my deconstruction and reassembly. Often I reconnect the pieces with wire, so that they are holding on to each other – sometimes I disconnect to sever an idea. I push my materials as far as they can go and sometimes farther.

I have my first solo show coming up. Saturday, Nov 19th 6pm-9pm at 1347 Locust street, Walnut Creek. I decided that I should show my friends what I have been up to these past few years. I have rented a space and am just going to do it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So many. Here are my top faves lately…

San Ho Wan restaurant ( 2170 Bryant street, San Francisco)-upscale Korean BBQ by the chef-owner of Michelin-starred Benu
Small delicious bites! Dark, moody vibes. Highly recommend.

Dia y Noche cantina/restaurant ( 1411 Locust street, Walnut Creek, CA)
Authentic Mexican food. Casual. Fresh food. Friendly staff. Mariachi bands on Fridays and merengue on Sundays!

32 Winds wine estate-for wine tasting -Healdsburg area, north of Sonoma

We recently went to Santa Cruz and found this awesome experience to do with kids! This wonderful lady can take you on a walk on the beach in Santa Cruz-with her GOATS!!!! 2 pairs of mommy-babies. They have little leashes and are surprisingly friendly!

Is the show called “The Empire strips back” still on? It is a parody burlesque show in San Francisco. It was Heeellaaariouuus!!!!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
So many people, including my awesome husband of 12 years and 2 kiddos. Besides them, I listened to a book that changed my life ( sounds cheesy, I know)-‘How to be an Artist” by Jerry Saltz. He is a Senior art critic for New York Magazine. 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. He is basically my art God-as embarrassing as that is to admit ( for me and I am dead sure for him too- if he ever saw this I will die!). I listen to this audiobook on my headphones on repeat in my studio! Along with podcasts and stuff, but it became this kind of meditation for me. It was very encouraging. I am a self taught artist and can feel very isolated in my studio, so his words really resonated. He speaks about finding courage and not worrying about what anyone thinks. It about just doing the work. Finishing the work and getting it done. Not being embarrassed. He seems so kind and I guess I just heard it at the right time. Because of Jerry, I started a coven. It’s this idea that you need a community of artists around you in order to survive & thrive as an artist ( a community other than Instagram). I realized this was true for me and now I have two fantastic artists from the Bay area that I collaborate with! They are Yameng Lee Thorpe ( @yameng_art) and Hargun Mahal Mann ( @storiestoldanduntold). We are all womxn, immigrants, artist moms so we have a lot of similar experiences-although our work is very different. We are planning a show together now for April 2023.

Instagram: @lisareardonceramics

Image Credits
Julie Reichle