Locally based Artists in Mendocino have been an essential part of our artistic and creative community for so long; they spread creativity and beauty over our little town. The Art Center is overflowing with creative energy spilling down the streets and around our community members. My own personal interest and investment in the arts lead me to interview a local artist in this small town and hopefully paint an image of what the life of an artist in Mendocino is like and what advice they have to offer for young artists
Hillary Schneider is a local jeweler and the owner of her own self -made business in Mendocino. She has been a long time family friend, and I have been incredibly inspired by her jewelery skills for some time now. She grew up in the small artisan community of Carmel, CA, where she was extremely influenced by the art that constantly surrounded her. She began to work with jewelry at her high school at age 16 and has now been a professional jeweler for about 10 years. She went to school for business, then traveled around the world, gathering inspiration from the many different cultures, and then settled down in Mendo with her family and began to build her business, which is now located in Mendo and called Pearls Of Wisdom, as well as an online website. When I asked her what art meant to her, she said lovingly, “ Art feels like spreading beauty in the world, not just surface beauty but something that has depth and joy.” She talked about the emotional depth and beauty that art portrays and the immense joy art brings to one’s life.
When I asked her how she went about her creative process and what inspired her, she explained how the natural world around around her provided so much inspiration, specifically the ocean, saying that it was her biggest muse and her guardian, along with “nature’s containers,” such as nests and things created in nature. She talked about her garden and how she loves to recreate its palettes. Another strong source of inspiration for her is motherhood. She told me how she loves to work symbolic pieces into her jewelry: “ I use the number three in a lot of my pea pods and nests, because of course I have 3 kids, and they are what I hold closest to my heart.”
Hillary then told me how she will envision an art piece in her head or get inspired by something she sees, then go back to her studio and organically put it together there, using many tools, such as hammers, mandrels, wire, pliers, and a kiln.
As I’ve been thinking about going to art school and have always been interested in art since a young age. I wanted to know what young aspiring artists need to know for a successful career in the arts. She emphasized greatly that getting an education is extremely important and beneficial, also that it is so so important to always find a source of inspiration in your life: “there’s times as an artist that you might not feel totally creative, but because it’s your livelihood, you have to be creative.” She gave me advice for a successful business, such as different revenue models and to never be afraid to ask for help while working and developing your business. To all artists, it is extremely important to love what yo do and find the time to enjoy the beauty art brings to the world. She said, “Stay true to your art. If it’s something you love, keep at it… you can make it your livelihood.”
Some obstacles that Hillary mentioned that artists tend to face is the fact that Mendocino is relatively isolated from any big cities, and it can be hard to be so successful and collaborate with fellow artists: “To really be successful you need to get your art out of the area, and you need to be motivated to do that.” One way she does this is by having shows in the Bay Area. In her opinion, another big obstacle for artists are large corporations that undervalue artisan crafts. Certain arts can’t mimic the human hand.
When I asked her about her proudest accomplishments so far, she said her viable business, that she built from the ground up, how it was truly authentic and provides a nice little livelihood for her family.
Lastly I wrapped up the interview by asking her opinion on what roles artists play in society. She smiled and said, “Artists are the spreaders of beauty, keepers of hope, beacons of inspiration. They are the ones who create that sense of wonder and meaning of humility, and in so many ways, the arts are so undervalued, but it’s what gives us joy.” Finally I asked for any little pearls of wisdom for young artists out there: “Do what you love; life is very short and fleeting… if you love it and put your heart into it, people will be attracted to it. If it’s truly your heart and feels authentic, people with respond.”
Incredibly inspired, I left and walked out of her cute little studio and past her garden. I had an incredible time learning and talking to Hillary Schneider. Her jewelry and story helped me get a greater idea and an inside look into what it is like to be a professional artist in Mendocino and the world.
website: https://www.pearlsofwisdomdesign.com