Paul Schultz
Artists often draw from their childhood to fuel a life of creative inspiration. LSPS-LC’s Paul Schultz doesn’t deny this fact- he revels in it.
Schultz (born 1969, Chicago) grew up in a household with ten siblings, pet rabbits and unabashed craft making. Sharing a cramped room with his brothers, little Paul unfolded play space in his mind, and when he was old enough- in real life. His lack of elbowroom resulted in both the drawing and building of cozy clubhouses in his neighborhood. Having experienced this flurry of creativity in his youth, Schultz headed off to college with more than a few ideas.
After earning his architectural degrees, (B.S. in Architectural Studies from University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign, and M. Arch from the University of Oregon), Schultz spent a year studying furniture design and sustainable architecture in Copenhagen, Denmark. It was this time immersed in the unique Danish culture of “Hygge” (snug) that helped him break free from conventional thought. The way people related to and lived with their objects (which were designed for the masses) impressed the artist so much that he absorbed it into each area of his practice. The Mid-Century Modern aesthetic and unique color and graphic design sense of artist Charley Harper also propelled Schultz in a new direction.
After his education and world travels, Schultz’s thinking was positively transformed on things like modernism and the use of the 90-degree angles. The artist spent the next twenty years working for architectural firms and teaching on the same subject, as well as completely redesigning his own historic home in Philadelphia. A permanent move back to the Midwest in 2013 brought him closer to his family, and shook up his creative practice. An explosion of projects has taken over the artist, with hundreds of creative concepts jotted down and explored in an endless series of notebooks.
Although it is nearly impossible to focus on just one of Schultz’s talents, his ceramics practice stands out. Even though the artist has worked on the wheel for over two decades, he transitioned to hand building once he joined LSPS-LC in 2013. Schultz’s appreciation of animals (especially his totem animal, the rabbit) is what propelled him to design his first “bunny” mug. By deconstructing each animal he means to replicate, geometric puzzles appear and entice. The process of breaking down any subject, redesigning and actualizing it is what gives the artist a huge kick. The same can be said for his architecture (his “Toybox” Tiny Home has international acclaim), as well as his furniture (reimagined from vintage record players and other found objects). Series such as his “Under One Hundred” feature cleverly thought-out clay animals that are on the critically endangered species list. A percentage of each sale from this series goes towards the World Wildlife Fund. Tree house, houseboat and tiny house tumblers pepper his Etsy page (his obsessions bleed over), as well as dozens of specialized animal mugs that sell incredibly well.
Although Schultz is always busy with a new project or commission at his studio (DECA in Pilsen), he reserves time for creative thought and reflection on his commute back and forth on the Chicago “L”. Concepts, characters and ideas for ceramic creations are all logged into small sketchbooks on his daily rides. And although this artist spends a lot of time in his mind, he also spends tremendous effort on thinking about how his work can appeal to those who value it. And as nice as it is to have his bills paid by his creative endeavors, Schultz takes the most meaning and pleasure in knowing that his work delights others and that it brings them continued joy…
