The Interview

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Wendy Neuberger. I’m originally from Logan Utah, USA and I’ve been living and working in Colorado for the better half of my life. I have worked as a graphic designer and creative professional for over 20 years while creating “my own art” in my spare time. I work in my home studio (a converted bedroom) which I’ve titled Yo Be nice studio and create both decorative ceramics on the pottery wheel as well as hand build sculpture and wall art.

What’s your background?

I studied Commercial Art at Utah State University where the curriculum “required” a diverse set of art classes (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, etc) and I loved every one of them. My favorite was my 3D sculpture class – I think it’s the tactile experience of using my hands to form something from nothing that I find so rewarding.

After college I went the route of graphic design and joined the corporate world where I’ve spent the greater part of the my life, but I’ve always made and needed the time to stretch my creative energies into other artistic outlets. There aren’t many mediums that I haven’t tried. Glass blowing is still on my list of things to learn (she grins).

I took up ceramics in 2020 when the pandemic hit and I haven’t stopped.

What’s the story behind your studio name?

The seed for ‘Yo! Be nice.’ was planted a few years back when I wanted my own reminder to stay calm during stressful times… basically to not lose my cool when bad-mannered people rubbed me the wrong way.
I made a ‘Yo! Be nice.’ bracelet to keep my red-headed emotions in check. But when others noticed, I thought, “Wouldn’t the whole world be a better place if we were ALL a bit nicer?”
It’s a message that I wish we all could better remember. It seems that every living thing is suffering in one way or another right now.

What has been a seminal experience?

2023.

I was laid off from my job in February of 2023 then diagnosed with breast cancer three weeks later. It was (and still is to a degree) a crazy wild ride, and my perspective on life and what matters most has changed. I’ve also realized that my time on this earth is not under my control and I am not the invincible person I thought I was. It’s been a truly humbling experience that has taught me so much about myself and opened my eyes a little more to humanity.

That being said, I am hoping to focus on my art, my health, and hope to make the world a little nicer through my creations and message.

Why ceramics over all the other mediums you’ve worked with?
Ceramics captivates me like no other. The process of blending earth, water, and fire to craft timeless beauty makes me happy. It's a path marked by serene creativity and occasional hurdles. Despite setbacks like pieces cracking, breaking, or colors not turning out as planned, ceramics instills patience and a sense of acceptance. Something that I had to learn while fighting cancer. The clay was and is my therapist. Ceramics continues to fulfill me, offering lessons in accepting the perfectly imperfect.

What’s your strongest memory of your childhood?

My experiences growing up in a pretty safe little mountain valley had a huge impact on me as a child. Every day on was a new adventure, a new stretch of woods to explore, rivers and rapids to maneuver (a small stream that ran through my backyard), trails to hike, and terrain to ski on. The mountains were in my backyard.

My favorite memories were building forts and making mud patties out of water we’d drawn up from the stream through cups on strings in my backyard. We had some giant cottonwood trees cut down where my friend and I built our fort and made our pies. We used my brothers tin Boy Scout camping pans. I was a muddy little tomboy who apparently doesn’t want to give it up.

What ceramic work do you most enjoying doing?

I most enjoy the building phase in ceramics. The part where you create with mud on your hands and in your hair. The clay is soft and malleable and suddenly comes alive.  I am less fond of everything that comes after: sanding, cleaning, glazing, etc. But that is all part of the process.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired your art

In 2022 I spent 8 days sailing on the Adriatic Sea with a dear friend of mine. We were cycling around the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia. We’d sleep and island hop on a sailboat with 16 other travelers. We’d stop and drop an anchor every afternoon and go for a swim in the clear blue sea. I was on the paddle board and never felt so at peace. I absolutely loved it. Having spent my entire life in the land-lock states of Utah and Colorado, this was an unbelievable experience for me.

Once we returned I sculpted a few sea turtles to represent a moment from our vacation, which led me down a “sea” of information, images and all things relating to ocean life.

What’s playing while you work?

I could probably learn more if I listened to podcasts while I work but music is my jam. I couldn’t boil it down to any particular genre, I have a pretty broad pallet, but my selection depends on if I’m throwing, hand building, glazing, etc. Throwing is very meditative for me so I like to find a zone and stay there – a jazzy blues vibe might be good for that. When I’m hand building, I like to bump up the rhythm a bit and get my dance on.

Professionally, what’s your goal?

My goal is to be able to sustain myself financially and maintain the freedom to arrange my own schedule and prioritize my health, while still enjoying the process of making and selling my work. I could care less about artistic fame and riches. I just want to make a living doing what I love, that will hopefully bring others joy, be healthy, and spread a positive message along the way.

 Do you love animals?

Very much. In fact, I’d love to have my own little farm one day. Until then, I reside with my 100lb Covid rescue named Clyde S. Dale. He’s a Newfoundland / American Pit Bull, and my senior rescue cat named Stella Bella Tinkerbell