Rebecca Ickes

Rebecca Ickes (1986 East Moline, Illinois) came to ceramics in an unusual way. After her degree in Graphic Design (DePaul University, 2009), she took on a yearlong internship in the Walker neighborhood of New Castle, England. There she assisted art teachers and helped underprivileged children develop their creative side. Ickes had no intention of taking over the ceramics department, but after the instructor started planning for her maternity leave, the responsibility fell in her lap. She took a crash course in wheel throwing, hand building, glazing and kiln operation. This seat-of-the-pants education set her off in a new direction, one where she would spend all her free time in the studio with her hands in clay. This open-ended time of experimentation, relaxation and utter creative freedom is a feeling she stuck a pin in.

After returning to the States, Rebecca Ickes found herself smack-dab in the middle of a recession. Like most recent graduates, she went into survival mode and took on multiple jobs to work towards her goals. Graphic design, barista work and photography all played a big part in getting her through this economically depressed period. At the time, it was hard to rely on other people for solid employment, so Ickes reflexively built her own photography company, Rebecca Marie Photography in 2010. She specialized in weddings and corporate events, and slowly earned her stellar reputation along with her clientele. Her work as a second shooter to a wedding photographer during college gave her a good look into the profession and industry. She knew that she could do it better, and plunged right into learning the newest technology, production programs and social media that would streamline her process. Her work now takes her to great locations, both in the US and over seas.

Ickes’ approach to photography is more a creative connection to its subjects. She appreciates that she can create art within her work, but the deadlines never put it on par with her experience in the studio. In 2017 she decided she needed another outlet. Trying to chase the feeling she remembered from her time in New Castle, Ickes joined Lincoln Square Pottery Studio – Learning Center. She didn’t come in with any preconceived notions, no expectations or plans. She just got on the wheel and plunged right into what she describes as a flow state. Initially she started gifting her work to friends and family, but in short order she got a commission. A client who was building her life together with a new husband wanted unique cereal bowls. Undaunted by the challenge, Ickes created at least 25 bowls just to be able to present the bride with 8 matching ones. It’s this type of drive that defines Ickes and her inability to give up or give in. She pushes herself through projects and ideas, even if it takes her ten times as long. She thrives in these challenges, and clearly takes a lot of satisfaction in learning new things.

Ickes has recently been blending her insider knowledge of the wedding industry with her ceramic creations. She’s been receiving commissions from clients to create the vases that grace the tables of their receptions. She’s used her keen eye to be able to create work that has impact on the table settings; how it holds a bouquet as well as being heavier at the bottom so tipsy party guests don’t spill them! She finds a calm in these commission deadlines, and gets the most pleasure out of knowing the work has a place to go as well as a special purpose. This gives her the energy to create it, as well as push through any issue that arises (and with clay it often does!).

Ickes has been creating a collection of unique pine tree lanterns to sell for the upcoming holidays. She hopes to use the money she raises from them for an upcoming trip that might just transform her practice. Last year, LSPS-LC instructor Meg Biddle suggested applying to the LaMeridiana CeramicSchool in Tuscany. Although life was a little too hectic for Ickes to consider it then, she’s had some major changes in life and has simplified things. This made her revisit the residency she had only dreamed about a year ago. She applied, and was accepted into their three month program, which includes a studio, as well as seven types of firing options. The studio is situated in a 17th century farmhouse overlooking the rolling Italian countryside. She’ll be focusing on wheel thrown objects, and hopes to just delve into the process without any specific goal in mind. She’ll be creative, just for its own sake, exactly like she did a decade ago when she first put her hands in clay…