Elkins hopes to inspire and educate through her work, which itself was inspired by nature and the nature of her process.

Normally a clay artist, Elkins has been unable to access a kiln during the shutdown. This month, she will share other media that she will usually work in to create reference material for her clay works. “I’m illustrating my process using nature as a reference, since not only do I want to share the final work, but I want to inspire viewers to desire to delve into their own creative process,” Elkins said.

About Cindi Elkins

Cindi Elkins discovered clay during her 50th orbit around the sun, while attending the Herron School of Art and Design, after a lifetime of “making stuff.”

“Clay has so many aspects of it which are unique to the experience,” Elkins said. “You get muddy; you have to think in the round, and are challenged throughout the process from concept to completion.”

Elkins creates her work using hand-building techniques in stoneware and earthenware clays to develop her figurative sculptures. For July, she will also be sharing her photography and sketch work that help to inspire her and develop each piece.

“The art I create, conceptually, is based upon expressionism, where you have a sense of emotion when you view the work. I create through either reference images I generate, or an organic approach from my imagination. I enjoy the process of creating—researching, sketching, photography, mixing the clay, sculpting. The actual act of taking something I imagine and take it from 2D, translating it into the 3D is a fun way of thinking,” Elkins said.

About the Full Circle Nine Gallery

The Full Circle Nine Gallery operates as an artist cooperative gallery, with each of the member artists and the board dividing gallery duties and artists roles. The artists will work together to help each other advance in skill and practice, as well as to bring success to the gallery.

With over two dozen artists occupying a large, three-room space of the more factory-reminiscent portion of the Circle City Industrial Complex, Full Circle Nine offers a wide variety of art forms, media, and approaches.

To better work with in the COVID-19 shutdown and restrictions, the Full Circle Nine Gallery has hosted Virtual First Fridays, on the gallery’s Facebook page, @fullcircleninegallery, as well as on its Instagram, @fc9gallery, during the typical First Friday hours. During that time, the artists will host live streams, post videos, or showcase photos of their latest work, in an effort to continue to connect with fans and patrons. The gallery has also resumed weekend hours, 12-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with health precautions, such as required masks.

Full Circle Nine Gallery is located at 1125 Brookside Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46202, in the South Studios section of the Circle City Industrial Complex. For more information, or for artists interested in joining the Full Circle Nine, please visit www.fullcirclenine.com