Celebrating Colorado’s Makers: New Editorial Photography Project
As an editorial photographer in Denver, I’m always looking for inspiration and ideas for new portfolios, portraits, and art. My latest editorial photography project in Denver explores the amazing creations being made in and around our city and state. We have a lively community of talented artisans, and this project is focused on celebrating the concept of functional art. I will be exploring the stories behind these creators—how they take ordinary materials and skillfully transform them into extraordinary pieces. I aim to capture their unique processes along with the passion that drives their creativity. Whether it’s a skilled blacksmith forging striking and beautiful works of art or a sourdough bread baker perfecting the intricate art of bread-making, I am eager to share their fascinating stories and highlight the remarkable creativity that makes our community buzz with inspiration. If you happen to know a talented maker in the Denver area who should be featured, or if you are a maker yourself, let’s connect and collaborate!
The Healing Power of Clay
Anna Flowers
Sculptor Anna Flowers has turned the tactile art of ceramics into a profound journey of healing and transformation. Her early and formative experience within a religious cult, is etched into every curve of her clay creations. With each piece she works through, Anna reclaims her narrative, transforming trauma into powerful expressions of resilience and hope. Her ceramic altars explore themes of faith, ritual, and resilience, vessels through which she turns pain into a reflection of strength. Through the unpredictable nature of clay, Anna not only embraces the imperfections of her past but also crafts a testament to the enduring spirit of recovery and reclamation. You can explore more of Anna's work on her Instagram page.
Anna's early life was shaped by the confines of a religious cult, an experience that left deep emotional impact. This became the catalyst for her artistic practice where she found solace working through trauma in a tactile way. This process of creation became a vital part of her healing journey. Each piece she creates is a step towards reclaiming her identity and story.
“Clay can crack, collapse, or shift in unexpected ways, requiring patience and acceptance.”
Anna's work celebrates the beauty of imperfection, she embraces the unpredictable nature of clay. That unpredictability mirrors the healing process — learning to let go of control and find beauty in imperfection. Clay also requires patience and acceptance — a concept that resonates deeply with her own personal journey. Each piece carries the vulnerability of its making, transformed into something sacred and resilient.
Each altar is both an offering and an exorcism—quietly powerful, fragile yet resilient. They capture the tension between the fragility of the human spirit and its capacity for survival and growth. Clay becomes a vessel for memory and declarations of what can be reclaimed and transformed through the power of art and personal resilience.
