About Tender Dysphoria / formerly CLAE Handmade
I started Tender Dysphoria largely as a way to push myself to keep creating, to sell some of my work, and to really give myself the chance to say yes to my love for art. And oooooh boy, I had no idea my little ceramic shop would go this far! I've since creating an immense amount of work, done pop ups, art walks, commissions, networking with other amazing artists, and even entirely shifted my career choice to focus on teaching art! I have always loved art & creating, but never felt I could measure up to others or really call myself an artist. Through this whole journey, it has been truly fantastic proving myself wrong and changing my mindset about my own and other's capability to be creative and follow our passions
My work largely involves the topic of humanness, as expressed through organs, bodies, mortality, mutation, and the otherwise obscure or taboo. It amazes and saddens me that our culture so widely promotes self shaming, denying people the acceptance of their bodies, minds, strengths, struggles, and reality. Though there has been a shift away from this shaming in the past few decades, I believe there is still quite a ways to go. Through my work, I aim to make people notice these social norms and how ridiculous they are, and to help others (and myself) work toward loving and celebrating these and other aspects of our very human experience.
Check out the blog link below for a youtube video with more info, and follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see posts of new works in progress & upcoming events!
Thank you so much for visiting my shop - your support and love are immensely appreciated <3
