Hi I’m Jane ‘FunkyRat’ Ratzlaff. (I am at my core still Jane Funk).
I came to clay later in life, convinced the artistic gene had skipped a generation (or
two). Still, when we moved close to a studio perched along Vancouver’s seawall, I
was drawn, like a moth to flame, to the windows where the potters seemed lost in
another world at their wheels. I wanted in, but the critic kept chirping.
Still hesitating, a gift certificate from my husband led me to a beginners wheel
course at the seaside studio. And I never looked back! I was a natural! jumping from
success to greater success.
Well ok, that’s not true. In the first months I was side-swiped by doubt and
marooned by self-criticism. Even mixed some tears in with the clay. After being
lucky enough to secure a membership at the Studio off the wait-list, I told my
teacher that I was going to give it up. I was a pretender.
But something happened. Once I stopped focussing on the end product, gave up
illusions of success and perfection, and stayed with the process I relaxed. I stopped
comparing myself. And it struck me that it wasn’t just the clay that had to be
‘centered’ for things to work. I found a path to the present moment.
It came at the right time in my life – my mom had just died and I missed her
immensely. We shared a habit of busy hands when idle – shaping melting candle
wax, playing with napkins - and shaping clay became an homage to her and the
studio became a sanctuary of meditation, contemplation, creation. Healing.
I live in Vancouver, Canada and thankfully remain a member to this day at Claytek
Studio overlooking False Creek, a small urban inlet of the Pacific Ocean. If I just sit at
the wheel and play and talk with other artists it is a good day - no matter if I’m left
with a lump or an emerging masterpiece.
I was born and raised not far from the studio, and grew up on the West Coast,
inspired by mountains and the changing face of the oceans; by the orca’s and
humpbacks I’ve seen from my kayak, the bears I’ve seen mountain-biking and the
deep powder I've skied in the heart of the Coast Range mountains.
I sold my first piece at our annual Christmas sale with the encouragement of one of
my teachers. I was nervous but as pieces sold, my gratitude and confidence grew.
I stand again on the edge of another diving board as I launch my online store.
Thanks for coming along this far.