Katy Drijber and son Findley balancing a life of pottery and being a mom

An Interview with Katy Drijber, Canadian potter from Coleman, AB

Katriona Drijber recently dropped off a box of new mugs to the gallery so we thought this was the perfect time to get to know Katy a little better. Here's a little Q&A for you.

Where or how do you look for inspiration?
Going out for hikes, reading books on outdoor adventures or natural history, seeing animals out in their natural habitats, foraging for wild food.

Take us through the part of your artistic process that you love the most.
I looove throwing. It's quick, easy for me, just pure flow. I can put on a podcast or audiobook and if I don't stop myself (knowing I need to FINISH the things I throw), before I know it I've gone through a whole box of clay.

Why is it important for you to paint/build/create?
I need to create because it's an integral part of my identity. I don't feel complete if I'm not making something. I need it like I need air.

List three words that describe you.
Quiet, introverted, serious.
 
Name something you've learned as an artist that was unexpected.
Making art can really lose its lustre. You just have to push through those times and you can find it again.

What is your ideal Sunday morning?
Wake up at 9 (lol this never happens with a toddler. More like 7). Have a coffee or 2. In studio by 1030 or 11. Work til dinner. (OH I wish. One day, this just isn't the season for it.).
Katy Drijber things she says while working on her pottery
Did you have another career before you became an artist?
A full time student for a whole lotta years! Good grades and knowing how to apply for scholarships and grants went a long way. I was in post secondary basically from age 16 to 32 haha
 
Tell us about one of your pieces available at h squared gallery, your inspiration behind it or a story about its creation.
The beluga mug. I have recurring dreams about following beluga whales up rivers. I don't know what they mean but I think about them a lot. It is one of my life goals to meet one in person one day. I'll probably cry (but thats not necessarily saying much as I cry over....many things! Haha).
 
What other jobs do you do (outside of your art) and what do you love about it?
Being a mom. It's hard but fun and sweet and cute and fascinating and entirely all consuming and depleting. It's very complicated!

Are you a cat person or a dog person?
I'm a cat person though I do love dogs too. Typing with my cat in my lap right now!

At what age did you know you wanted to be an artist?
Uhh like 3?!
 
What genre, band, artist, or podcast do you like to listen to when you work?
True crime podcasts or LONG audiobooks. I have been relistening to the entire game of thrones series as each book is like 36 hours long and i just love getting lost in an epic series.

Name one of your goals for 2024
To work in the studio more! And make some things that aren't mugs (though I do love mugs).

 

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Thank you to Katy Drijber for taking the time to answer our questions. We love seeing your new work at the gallery!

To view the interview on Instagram, Part 1 and Part 2.