Julie Sewell & Rhonda Corley
ART-SHORTS: A Magic City Art Connection Artist Interview Blog Series
JULIE SEWELL, Ceramics 
If you could throw a dinner party and invite any artist to join, who would be on your guest list and why? Pick one living and one dead artist.
I would love to invite and talk to Georgia O’Keefe. I have always admired her paintings. I attended a workshop in Abiquiu, NM in 2012 where I got to visit her home, her studio, and the beautiful countryside in which she worked. I would invite her to try to understand the personal characteristics of an artist of this caliber.
Christina Cordova is the other artist I would invite. Her ceramic pieces are so powerful and moving. My reason for inviting Christina would be to discuss how she goes about conceptualizing, designing, and executing her pieces—I’m sure she would reveal all her secrets over the dinner table!
How long have you been making art?
I have been taking community clay classes and attending workshops for a period of about 15 years. I have been participating in art festivals for about 5 years.
How long does it generally take you to complete a work of art?
The time varies with the type of work because my pieces go from the very simple to the very complex. The average time for a functional piece might be about 4 hours—the time for a sculptural piece could range from 10 to 40 hours or more.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
I enjoy the challenge of making a leaf impression on a large slab and then creating something from that slab. It is very difficult to mold and attach a soft slab of clay into a vessel or sculptural piece without marring the beautiful impression of the leaf.
What is the range of prices that you charge for your art?
Some pieces go for as little as $25, but the sculptural pieces have a range of $200 to $2000.
How many years have you participated in Magic City Art Connection?
This will be my first year.
Name another favorite art show you enjoy exhibiting at besides Magic City Art Connection. When does it happen and where?
I love participating in the Kentuck Art Festival! It always falls on the third weekend in October and is held in Tuscaloosa, AL.
To learn more about Julie and see more images of her work, click here.
RHONDA CORLEY, 2-D MM
If you could throw a dinner party and invite any artist to join, who would be on your guest list and why? Pick one living and one dead artist.
Living Charly Palmer , I was drawn to his colorful figurative work It was the movement and energy as if the where dancing on the page. Charly Palmer, generous humble it was if I knew him all my life. Lesson wisdom I was going to have to face my past in order to deal with the future
Deceased artist Gustav Klimt , why, his whimsical line dead artist.
How long have you been making art?
Since grade school, I was the child who would sit and doodle while the teacher was lecturing my peers would ask me to sketch a dress for them . In New Orleans it was always about where you were going and what will you wear. If you lived in the housing procects and didnt have the money, you got creative and begin designing your own out
How long does it generally take you to complete a work of art?
As long as it takes. minutes to months
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?
Finding the inspiration,being still and in the moment to let go and allow the piece create itself
What is the range of prices that you charge for your art?
$150, $300 800 and up
How many years have you participated in Magic City Art Connection?
4 years
Name another favorite art show you enjoy exhibiting at besides Magic City Art Connection. When does it happen and where?
Bayou Boogaloo, Norfolk Virginia June 20 21 22,23
To learn more about Rhonda and see more images of her work, click here.
