We had the good fortune of connecting with Tristyn Bustamante and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tristyn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I deal a fair amount with risk in life and with my artwork. Sometimes it leads to success, other times it leads to loss or failure. Regardless if I’m honest with myself, I always learn from those moments. Risk often involves a change or shift of some kind. There’s usually at least some discomfort with it, which I believe can be an indicator of the potential for progress. I’ve been lucky to have had somewhat of a broad range of experiences and opportunities that involved risk. Personally, I feel that taking risks whether small or large is not only exciting but important for inner growth and resilience. However, too much can lead to experiences unnecessarily difficult to recover from, though none-the-less a learning opportunity. Life and making art have definitely taught me that there are better and worse times for risk and we can’t always predict the latter but we can learn how to proceed with informed courage. I think it’s also important to trust your instincts and listen to the people who know you well and/ or seasoned professionals.Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a sculptress who incorporates other materials into primarily clay forms. I started taking ceramics classes at age 6 at the Edna Vihel Arts Center next to the Tempe Public Library. From there, I went to high school at the New School for the Arts and Academics back when it was in Scottsdale. Both degrees I earned were in ceramics, the first at Northern Arizona University and the second at Arizona State University. Below is a snip from my artist statement for my most recent work. From this one could assume my excitement for anything in the realm of science fiction, psychology and modern science.

The intent is to produce heedfully playful sculptures, which are ideologically deep yet approachable. Viewers are invited to look through the futuristic lens from which the pieces are imagined. The overall aim is for my artwork to impart an experience of wonderment toward a place in time, where technologies have integrated with living organisms and evolved. 

Next I’ll actually go back to one of the optional questions that was listed, it was on the topic of giving up. It’s a difficult yet important thing to think about. Failure is not always a bad thing and knowing when to stop isn’t either. I don’t believe giving up is necessarily an end all be all. Often, it’s more of a pause or transitional experience that helps one to continue on in a healthy way toward bigger or longer-term goals. Makers and artists often have a certain way of seeing the world that evolves but doesn’t really end. As one of these types, I believe that we don’t really quit, we break, sleep, heal and reflect. If we don’t know how to stop here and there, we can miss opportunities for meaningful growth or an inspirational refill. When we allow ourselves a chance for these things, we may be less likely to give up entirely.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I always take visitors to the Musical Instrument Museum in north Phoenix and to the Roosevelt Row Art Walks. One of my favorite restaurants is the Curry Corner on Apache Rd. My family and I have also always loved Nello’s Pizza and Haji-Baba in Tempe. Also, like everyone else, I love Cartel Coffee in Tempe. I’m a sucker for good coffee. For anyone curious about the ceramic arts, I would recommend the Ceramics Research Center on Mill Ave in downtown Tempe near ASU. They have an incredible collection, so much information on noteworthy ceramic artists and a small shop where you can purchase incredibly crafted ceramic art objects either functional or sculptural. The staff is also very welcoming and helpful.Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shout out to my family and friends. I would not have come as far as I have without their ongoing love and support. I’m so grateful for you all and especially for my parents Ellen and Jorge.

Website: https://www.tristynbustamante.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tristyn_b/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TBustamanteArtist

Other: https://createmagazine.com/read/tristynbustamante

Image Credits
Ryan Williams Photography

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