Ceramicist Lily Fein sculpts a life that’s anything but static, blending her passion for art with a career in music. From Newton, Massachusetts, Fein’s journey led her to New Orleans through music. She plays in two rock and roll bands, Whip Appeal and The Glue. In Whip Appeal, Fein sings and plays bass or guitar, sometimes drums. “Using my hands to build stuff is what makes me feel good,” Fein says. “It’s like a compulsion.”
Fein’s artistic path began in childhood. Her mother, a graphic designer, set up elaborate craft projects at home. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion. Her artist parents, while supportive, urged her to choose a more financially stable career. Yet, art schools saw her talent, admitting her to visual arts programs. Fein pursued ceramics in high school and college, later adding an art history major. After graduating in 2016, she completed residencies across the country, eventually finding her way to New Orleans around 2020. “I didn’t have any plans to leave, but I also didn’t have any plans to stay,” Fein says. “So it all kind of unfolded.”
Fein describes her art as a continuous journey, always working “in the same vein because it’s me making it.” Her work has become more focused, delving deeper into specific themes. “I have a hard time making the same thing twice,” Fein says. “It doesn’t really feel that good to do that.” This commitment to exploration fuels her, even with commission work. A current project involves creating 200 porcelain flowers for a French Quarter bathroom, a feat of repetition she keeps fresh by varying the blooms.
Fein’s artistic process is intuitive and fluid. She starts each vessel with a flat base, coiling thin porcelain and smoothing the layers. There’s a vague plan, but the clay often dictates the final form. “If I stay too stuck on an idea of something I want to make, it’s not really what I need to be doing at that time,” Fein says. This adaptability extends to her studio rituals, which include morning tea and a mix of podcasts, news, or music on her tape player.
For Fein, the reward of her art career is simply the ability to continue creating. “I just feel so lucky that I get to do this,” Fein says. Her greatest inspiration? Ceramicist George Orr, who she admires for his playful and experimental approach. “Some of the best work comes out of just playing,” Fein says. This philosophy allows her to embrace the unexpected, letting each piece evolve organically, a testament to her hand-built life.
Liliy Fein, lilyfein.com, @lilyfein
