Meet Karina Black—a ceramicist, multimedia artist, and entrepreneur with a unique eye.
In honor of International Women’s Month, we spent the day with Karina in her ceramics studio and learned about her approach to creative expression.
Kinn: What inspired you to take on ceramics?
Karina: I had always admired ceramics from a distance and thought about starting my own brand. I started feeling uninspired with the props available to me during photoshoots, and my sister encouraged me to start making my own. I became so drawn to every aspect of working with clay, particularly in creating vessel forms and functional homeware.
Kinn: What do you look forward to when working on your craft?
Karina: There are so many things, it’s hard to pick just one! I find the process of working with clay grounding and meditative, helping me let go of control and perfectionism. Seeing my creativity materialize into tangible art is so fulfilling.
Kinn: You mentioned you love listening to jazz music while throwing. Tell us about the process of your sculpting.
Karina: I like to tell people that listening to jazz is my secret formula for throwing on the wheel. There are so many parallels between the two—the rhythmic flow of jazz mirrors the act of throwing on the wheel, with various elements working together harmoniously. It helps me avoid fixating on mistakes and allows my hands to work naturally.
Kinn: Can you name a few female artists that inspire you?
Karina: Ruth Asawa is a standout for me. Best known for her organic wire sculptures and advocacy for art education, she was a pioneer for female artists. I’m endlessly inspired by her abstract forms and philanthropic work in her community. Sculptor Barbara Hepworth and ceramicist Edith Heath also have a big influence on my own artistry.
