Ceramic piece by artist Elizabeth Ostrander

How do you stay inspired?

To reignite my inspiration, I revisit all the books I have on various subjects such as craft, weaving, nature, and the art of working with wood. I have a deep affection for early pioneering and find immense joy in delving into the history of how we used to create household tools and heirlooms from the surrounding countryside.

For me, inspiration lies in slowing down and carefully observing the patterns and textures that unfold in my own life. By examining the intricacies of my daily experiences, I discover new sources of creative motivation.

A significant memory from my childhood resurfaced recently. When I was just 10 years old, my parents gifted me a flower press. I decided to retrieve it from storage. As I go back to my roots, I am reminiscing about the things I enjoyed as a young girl and seeking inspiration from those cherished memories.

What you are currently up to and what projects are you working on? 

I wish to learn new techniques and ways to incorporate what I find in nature into my art. For example this morning I collected some magnolia blossom stamens, which I will put in my flower-press.

Iā€™m in a foraging stage. Collecting new ways to create and using pieces of nature to inspire my process.