Get to know Piece by Piece artist Vicki! 

How did you find out about Piece by Piece?

I found out about Piece by Piece before I started coming in the summer of 2014. I found out about it through the economic development department because I was unemployed at the time. It was their old location in Marina Del Ray and it had brochures and mosaics from Piece by Piece  - they were part of the decor in that office!

What do you like about PXP?

There are so many things because it’s such a large part of my life, I got an MFA in film production from USC and then came to Piece by Piece while unemployed and homeless and was going to try something different. Everything was changing all the time for me then and then I made my first frame (which I still have now)! After a little time I started talking about completing the certification program. Piece by Piece became an anchor for me. It helped me through that period. I had a lot of things going on, and it helped me have a more regular schedule. It helps with art therapy and I enjoy getting lost in it, and as your skills grow, you get more competent and get to practice completion. It’s hard to complete things in transitions, and it’s an opportunity to get back into completion mode and get things under control. 

What inspires you?

So many things! Just the world itself. I think that as I complete each project, I get more inspired. Each project represents my development, my achievement, and I get excited to start the next project. You can just get inspired by the process. 

What materials do you like to use?

I’ll use anything! I’ve mostly stuck to our standard, ceramic and glass. I feel more confident using things that I have more product knowledge about. How to clean it right, how to adhere it. I like to stick to what I know a bit more.

What do you want to learn more about?

There’s so much stuff! I would say working bigger for myself. I’m at the point where I can do more individual projects so I am working on that. We once did a show that was at the main museum and I wrote the intro for the show. They were so focused on studio space, especially in Skid Row, which is hard to come by. So I have the idea to work bigger. 

Do you participate in other creative arts? 

Oh yeah, I paint, I do pottery, anything that’s out there I’ll do! Music, I just do art period. Over the years I’ve been extremely varied. 

What can/do you contribute to the PXP community?

This is a place with so many people rotating in and out, and I see myself as part of the DNA. The time I’ve spent here, my uniqueness, my education.  I’ve been very devoted to art for such a long time. 

You can learn more about Vicki and see the items she has for sale on her artist page.