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Emily Bayless is a ceramic artist and educator based in Laredo, TX. She has her BFA in Ceramics from Arizona State University and her MFA in Ceramics from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her work has been exhibited across the United States in museums, galleries, and universities. Bayless has completed public art works, one of which was fully funded by a National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Award and is permanently installed outside of the Border Heritage Museum in Laredo, Texas.
Published on April1st, 2025. Artist responses collected in months previous.
Talk about some of the logistics of your art practice. What systems do you have in place to help streamline your workflows?
This year I have been making full use of the hours between 9am-5pm to make my work. During the summer I decided not to teach summer courses but instead to completely devote my time to studio work. To streamline my work I started using detailed "to-do" lists. At the end of each studio day I would clean the space and write a list of "to-dos" for the next studio day, in order of priority. When I arrived the next day I would be able to check the list and get started right away.
What is some advice for someone who does not have any experience who would like to pursue a career like yours?
Start working with self-imposed deadlines. For me, I am more productive with deadlines that I can build a plan and schedule around. Organization has also been really important as I have built my career. Seeking out opportunities has also been a big part of my career growth. I do not wait to be approached with opportunities, rather I find it much more productive to apply to things and to be the person organizing exhibitions and residency events.
What was the lowest point in your art career and how did you overcome those adversities?
Looking back, I am sure I could pick out a few different times when I felt pretty low about my work or career. Right now though, I think the time spent in graduate school was the most challenging. I was searching for my own voice and tried on different hats during that time. There were many times during that period when the work felt hollow and I felt very confused. When I was able to leave that environment, and all the external input that comes with it, I think I was better able to build my own voice.
How did you come into the type of artwork you are doing now?
Collaboration helped me develop the work I am making currently, which is inspired by the ritualistic practice of the altar space. I worked on a mural project in 2021-23, with the local community and my students. During that project I formed a lot of ideas and gained inspiration from this idea of creating interactive and collaborative works through the ofrenda. The mural was a large scale version of that focused on the history in this community. Now I am making smaller sculptural pieces that focus on my own story.
What was an epiphany in your art practice that took you to the next level?
I don't know that I have ever really felt this way about my work, that I have taken it to the next level. Growing my practice and my business has been a slow process that at times feels like a one step forward, two steps back, dance. This year I showcased my work at art fairs and local markets, selling and getting more exposure than ever before. This is something I have always wanted to do, and I think I finally felt confident enough in the work and my knowledge to take that leap. I have to give a lot of credit for that confidence to the community I have become part of. I am able to talk to other artists and business owners to get advice and grow.
Talk about some of the logistics of your art practice. What systems do you have in place to help streamline your workflows?
This year I have been making full use of the hours between 9am-5pm to make my work. During the summer I decided not to teach summer courses but instead to completely devote my time to studio work. To streamline my work I started using detailed "to-do" lists. At the end of each studio day I would clean the space and write a list of "to-dos" for the next studio day, in order of priority. When I arrived the next day I would be able to check the list and get started right away.
What is some advice for someone who does not have any experience who would like to pursue a career like yours?
Start working with self-imposed deadlines. For me, I am more productive with deadlines that I can build a plan and schedule around. Organization has also been really important as I have built my career. Seeking out opportunities has also been a big part of my career growth. I do not wait to be approached with opportunities, rather I find it much more productive to apply to things and to be the person organizing exhibitions and residency events.
What was the lowest point in your art career and how did you overcome those adversities?
Looking back, I am sure I could pick out a few different times when I felt pretty low about my work or career. Right now though, I think the time spent in graduate school was the most challenging. I was searching for my own voice and tried on different hats during that time. There were many times during that period when the work felt hollow and I felt very confused. When I was able to leave that environment, and all the external input that comes with it, I think I was better able to build my own voice.
How did you come into the type of artwork you are doing now?
Collaboration helped me develop the work I am making currently, which is inspired by the ritualistic practice of the altar space. I worked on a mural project in 2021-23, with the local community and my students. During that project I formed a lot of ideas and gained inspiration from this idea of creating interactive and collaborative works through the ofrenda. The mural was a large scale version of that focused on the history in this community. Now I am making smaller sculptural pieces that focus on my own story.
What was an epiphany in your art practice that took you to the next level?
I don't know that I have ever really felt this way about my work, that I have taken it to the next level. Growing my practice and my business has been a slow process that at times feels like a one step forward, two steps back, dance. This year I showcased my work at art fairs and local markets, selling and getting more exposure than ever before. This is something I have always wanted to do, and I think I finally felt confident enough in the work and my knowledge to take that leap. I have to give a lot of credit for that confidence to the community I have become part of. I am able to talk to other artists and business owners to get advice and grow.
Find Emily Bayless on Instagram
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