Conversations with Contemporary Clayers: Hector Vera

Today's Profile: Hector Vera 

Why are you an artist and what drew you to clay?

I have always been involved in something creative from when I was a little boy. Loved making Native American Indian scenes with glue, board and ocher sands.  Later I sewed little fashion outfits for my cousin’s Barbie doll. Watched my Grandma and Aunt’s sewing quilts in the living room when I was six and thinking this is really nice how they can sit there doing something that makes them happy with lots of cheer.  Making things was always a part of my life. My earliest memory with a sewing machine is when my mother was mending something… don’t remember what it was but there was something on the material that grabs my attention and I had to touch it.  Bad idea, as my finger got trapped in the needle as it continued to sew and mother yelling loudly and in a panic for someone to grab my father’s tool box for the pliers. In Dallas I used to watch Carol Duvall’s Craft Show in the mornings before work and was always fascinated with the polymer clay figures that Maureen Carlson would make in 30 minutes. Fast forward to recent years… I took a week long PMC course at Camp Creative Bellingen and on the fifth and final day the ‘polymer clay’ come out and I was overwhelmed with all the colours. At that time I was making dresses for my partner’s, three-year old, grand-daughter and though… “Wow, now I can make my own buttons!”  I stayed up way past midnight for the first couple of years learning and making this and that with all the techniques that I could find in books and the internet. When I was introduced to Melanie Dilday, my whole world changed… she taught me so much when she lived in Byron Bay.  I would book in 1-on-1 classes when I could, with her, and that’s when my stuff really started looking like art and not so home-made.

How long have you been an artist?

I think that I began saying that I am an artist when I started exhibiting my work at the Bellingen Community Arts Gallery (the Nexus) about five or six years ago.  It was when my art jewellery started to sell that I felt comfortable saying that “I am an Artist”.

What is your favorite clay?

Precious Metal Clay!

What other materials do you like to incorporate in your work and why?

I like to incorporate copper sheet, rivets, beads, gemstones and glass into my work because it gives it so much interest. I’m very keen on making things that are a bit different and unique.

What are you currently working on?

Right now I’m working on a cylinder bead in PMC Silver after being inspired by something that I was on the “Spartacus Blood and Sands” showtime series worn by a Roman slave. I feel that there isn’t enough jewellery for men and I want to cater to that demographic.  And I believe that I can do that more so with Silver & Metal Jewellery.

What inspires your work?

I get inspiration everywhere I look.  Just walking down the street I sometimes see things that sparks an idea and later realized on my worktable. Sometimes it’s a colour or a texture and a feeling.

Is there a purpose to your artwork?  

The purpose is to creative something that I would like to wear or just for the pleasure of seeing it. 

Which of your artwork pieces is your favorite? 

My favorite piece is a pendant that I made from copper sheet, and faux bone that I riveted onto PMC.  It’s one of my tribal jewellery mens wear pieces.  I enjoy working with traditional metal smithing as well.

What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

When you find a medium that really excites you and keeps you awake nights thinking about it, keep going with it. Take classes to help you develop new skills and techniques. There will be mistakes along the way but that’s part of the learning process.  Don’t be discouraged… persevere. Join an online forum on the art that interest you because there are lots of people there that will freely give information and inspiration.

Why do you like to teach?

I enjoy passing on the information and techniques to people so that they too can experience the magic of making something real and lovely.

What would you like people to know about the upcoming Contemporary Craft Retreat in   Canberra?

I would like them to know that it’s held at a splendidly beautiful and serene location away from the town center so there are no distractions from the outside. It’s like going to summer camp and waking up to a day that you know is going to be filled with lots of creativity, laughs, learning and good people. It’s the sort of place where you will make new friends with common interests.  Plus you get to go home with heaps of lovely things that you did not know you could make before you came.

Hectors contact details:

Website: www.veradesigns.com.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/veradesigns