Meet Liz Quan

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Quan.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I love building and creating things. There are many mediums I’ve explored including wood, leather, pastels, and fiber. It would be amazing to pursue them all, but clay is the medium I’ve focused on over the years.

I took my first class in ceramics in 2001 while I was an Art Director in the publishing field. I’ve designed for companies such as American Express Custom Publishing, Town + Country magazine, J.Crew, Travel + Leisure magazine, Food + Wine magazine, Gaiam, Interweave Press, and Shambhala Publications. In 2005, I moved to Boulder from New York City to pursue a post-baccalaureate in ceramics at the University of Colorado. Since then, I’ve continued working as a graphic designer and working in my ceramic studio in Boulder. I’ve exhibited at Walker Fine Art in Denver, Madelife in Boulder, the Firehouse Art Center in Longmont, the Arvada Center in Arvada and Seidel City in Boulder.

Clay, as a medium, allows me to feel completely untethered and yet fully engaged. Its qualities are forgiving with endless possibilities. My intuition emerges as I discover new forms, lines, and textures. I am also intrigued by the strength of multiples: separate pieces are united to create a cohesive new individual form. The abstract expression and formal qualities of my sculptures work together to evoke a personal feeling and unique connection with the engaged viewer.

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?
Being a full-time artist is rarely a smooth road. For me, it’s been a long road. Financially, balancing making a living and making art is the biggest puzzle. My career as a graphic designer has allowed me to explore clay more seriously.

Now, I’m trying to tip the scale to weigh more with the ceramic work. Marketing is a huge challenge. Having to wear all the hats, forces me to focus on a few projects. No doubt, big hurdles lie ahead, but I’m excited to see how it evolves.

Please tell us more about what you do, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I make ceramic sculptures as well as some functional pieces. My White Coral light pendants received a lot of press early on. They are unique accent lights that originated from 5-foot sculpture forms. Many other works evolved from those forms. And in turn, my porcelain necklaces have also been very popular. They are one-of-a-kind sculpted pieces that can be worn every day.

Often we’re not allowed to touch art or ceramics. With my recent sculptural work, I invite the user to touch and interact with the pieces. This sense of play allows you to make your own arrangements.

Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Persistence, enjoying what I do and trusting my instincts. Staying creative in the studio.

Contact Info:

• Address: 4593 North Broadway, unit 120
  Boulder, CO
• Website: lizquan.com
• Email: lizquan1@gmail.com
• Instagram: lizquan1
• Facebook: liz quan studio

Image Credit:
Rebecca Stumpf, Joe Hancock

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