Smashing Pottery and Other Creative Obsessions: Memoir of an Artist

Everyone loves art fairs. Amazing handmade art. Great food. Exhilarating ambience. But do you know what goes into participating in one? Evelyn Arvey does.

In her ground-breaking memoir, Smashing Pottery and Other Creative Obsessions: Memoir of an Artist, Evelyn Arvey chronicles her struggles and her joys as she finds her place in the world of fine art fairs. Having no idea what she is doing, Evelyn launches her career at the Bellevue Art Fair—the biggest, most competitive show in the Pacific Northwest.

Although she barely makes it through the rigors of her first art fair, she adores every thrilling minute of it and realizes that she’s found her path in life. She continues applying to—and being accepted into—juried art shows, careening from art medium to art medium, loving them all: Batik Eggs. Ceramic dinnerware. Ceramic beads. Woven silver chains. Fabricated jewelry.

Unquenchable artistic curiosity is a key to Evelyn’s success, along with a solid support system of family and friends. Her husband, Richard, encourages her, teases her, and inspires her every step of the way as she becomes the artist she is meant to be, with the art career she is meant to have.

With humor, honesty, artistic insights—and eleven amusing step-by-step “art projects”—Evelyn invites you along with her to experience the joys of creativity and her first five years as a professional artist.