Carcin Janelle- April 2026

How and where did your art practice begin? 

It began on paper, in art class, clay summer school classes, and after school at my grandma's house. I loved to draw people and cartoons, but I didnt think I could do anything with my skills until I went off to school. In college at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, I realized I wasn’t going to be happy doing anything but art. UWO, where I accidentally fell in love with ceramics, I say “accidentally” because I always thought I would be a 2D artist, but my ability to sculpt and create 3D work was too strong to ignore. College was the place where I met so many great artists who encouraged me to take myself and my work seriously, because what I can create is special and not just a hobby.

Where do you draw inspiration for your forms/designs? 

organic living forms, especially young animals and plant life, with intentionally softened or ambiguous details that invite interpretation. I’m interested in using unexpected color as well as removing color entirely. Shades of pink and red alongside natural tones create a sense of intimacy and subtle sensuality, while stripped-back palettes leave the forms feeling exposed and open-ended, allowing viewers to project their own readings onto my work.

What draws you to your specific/preferred medium? 

The tactile experience of working with clay and paint, and the physical relationship they create between my body and the material. More specifically, the reductive act of carving into ceramic surfaces, along with the slow, repetitive motion of brushing, mixing, and smoothing forms through painting. Both processes allow me to shape the surface through touch, reinforcing the sense of intimacy and care that runs throughout my work.

Who were your mentors or what resources did you use to learn your medium? 

As someone who tends to be skeptical of overly easy praise, I learned to value honest, direct critique early in my development. My close friend and fellow artist, Sarah Vandersee, has always been supportive but honest at every turn and encouraged me to work harder and be more thoughtful in my approach. Along with my ceramics professor, Craig Clifford at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, who is everyone’s go-to person for any problem. His answers usually led me back to what I already thought was right, teaching me to trust my instincts or to listen to a professional before I get too far into a project. They were the mentors whose feedback I trusted most and whose perspectives shaped how I approach my work today. I still hear Craig’s voice in my head every day in the studio or when I’m teaching a class.

What result can a finished piece or your process yield that makes you feel rewarded or proud? 

Finishing a project often means more to me than any material good or gift. I’m often surprised by how strongly the finished work can affect me, especially because much of my practice revolves around creating objects that bring a sense of warmth and reassurance in a world that can feel uncertain. Making work allows me to create moments of emotional grounding and comfort that I can return to each time I look at them.

Where is your practice now? What is your focus? Where is it growing? 

I’m currently in the transitional period after finishing school last spring, working to find a balance between making art and working within the arts. Developing an identity outside of school has been challenging without access to my usual materials and studio spaces, but it has also pushed me to rethink how my practice can exist more independently. I feel confident in my work and in my instincts. I’m currently working on trying to use my new life experiences outside of school to inspire sculptural works that reflect the work I have been doing, and represent my newfound self as an independent artist rather than a student. 

How does being involved with a community art space like Art Hub impact your art?

Being involved with a community art space like Art Hub has had a meaningful impact on both my practice and my ability to connect with other artists. 

Growing up surrounded by creative thinkers who didn’t strongly identify as artists meant I didn’t have early access to a space like this, but I was extremely creative. This left me often feeling like I didn’t quite fit anywhere. Once I experienced my first real sense of artistic community in college, I felt its absence strongly after graduation. Art Hub has played an important role in rebuilding that connection and has helped me engage with a network of artists near my hometown whom I hadn’t previously realized were nearby. It has also given me the opportunity to fall in love with teaching as an instructor. This is something I hope to continue doing, as it allows me to grow alongside other artists while supporting their creative development. Seeing younger artists take classes and connect with each other in this space is especially meaningful because it gives them access to a community I wish I’d had growing up.