Layl McDill shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Layl , a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
My latest series of work is focused on farming. I never would have guessed I would be drawn to this subject. I got interested after watching a few documentaries while on a flight back from Europe and then I submitted a grant where I said I would interview farmers and then make art about those conversations. When I found out I got the grant I suddenly realized now I have to do what I said I would do! It meant that I had to contact people I’ve never met and convince to let me come to their farm and learn about a lot of things I knew nothing about! I am a pretty outgoing person but this really felt outside my wheelhouse! I reminded myself that I did grow up going to my grandfather’s ranch and visiting other family members farms and ranches so I’m not totally a city girl! I also grew up in Wyoming where there is nothing but wide open spaces and rural areas.
Now after two interviews I’m excited to meet more farmers and keep discovering inspiration from this world where all our food comes from!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a polymer clay and found object sculptor. I’ve been a full time artist since graduating from art school in 1993. My degree was in illustration but I have found that I would rather make sculptures that I show and sell at both art fairs and art center exhibits all over the country. I also teach classes to all populations including the elderly, school children, teens, disabled, families, businesses, etc. Community involvement is also really important to me. I am chair of the board of “Art to Change the World” which is a social practice arts organization. I own a gallery called “The Clay Squared Gallery” which is an annex of the business my husband and I started in 1996, “Clay. Squared to Infinity”. My husband, Josh Blanc, makes handmade tiles which are sold all over the world. My gallery features my own work and the work of about 10 other artists.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents were always a good example of both hard work and doing what you love. My dad owned his own civil engineering business when I was a child. I saw him risk a lot by moving his family to boom town, Gillette, Wyoming and then start his own business. The year he started his business many other similar businesses also opened but a few years later his business was one of the few remaining. He ran water systems as a way of making extra money and this meant he had to get up in the middle of the night and go fix issues all the time. I saw him working hard to make this business work and also ride the waves of ups and downs but I saw that he was always positive and trusted that things would work out. He loved what he was doing and that’s what mattered. My mom was a teacher and she continued her own education even after retiring! She put creativity into everything she did and encouraged us to do the same.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
At the beginning of my art career I was really against “political art”. I just wanted to be creative for creativity’s sake and I didn’t have any interest in making a statement. About ten years ago my friend Barbara Bridges did a workshop on “Social practice art” and I suddenly saw how you can create art that has a statement but is still fun and interesting. It didn’t have to hit people over their head with a “message” that could only be seen one way. Barbara created an arts organization called “Art to Change the World” and invited me to be part of it. I still thought I wasn’t really a social practice artist but the more she encouraged me to talk to experts in things I was interested in I realized how art can be impactful in new ways. Now my work is evolving to include so much more than just creativity. I still wouldn’t call my art “political” but I do think it can shine a light on a lot of meaningful subjects and spark conversations which could lead to deeper thinking on a lot of subjects which is something we all need more of these days.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think everyone that knows me well knows that I generally have two priorities: making art and making connections. I love to meet people and then get those people connected to other people I know. Building community has been a major part of my life since way back in college. I helped start a polymer clay guild in 2002 and am proud to say it is going strong because the people involved are all quick to volunteer and work together on any exhibit or other opportunity we come across.
My husband and I also host monthly free events at our studios called “Snack and Squish” and I love to see people meeting each other and having fun each time! It feeds my soul to know that people come together because of me and build relationships.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Recently I’ve been able to participate in several art fairs that I applied to for years and I found that they really weren’t a good fit for me. I realized that the work that I create isn’t really a fit for these types of festivals. I am in a transition with my larger scale work and I need to focus on finding other ways to fund this work- public art and/or grants. It’s funny to finally get to the point where I can get into these top tier art fairs but now it’s not really what I want to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laylmcdill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laylmcdill
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/layl-mcdill
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/laylm
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/layl.mcdill
- Youtube: https://www.facebook.com/layl.mcdill https://www.youtube.com/user/laylmcdill
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@laylmcdill
Image Credits
Headshot: Sarah White
Other images: Layl McDill
