Creative of the Month: May 2025
- Tim Parks
- Jun 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 1
Jeffrey Parish
Artifacts
Forest Haven
54425 N Circle Drive #4
Idyllwild, CA 92549
-How did you become interested in becoming a creative person?
My creative journey, I believe, began with my grandmother. At a very young age, she saw in me a natural proclivity for aesthetics. I would arrange my toys and stuffed animals in ways that most adults wouldn't have done, almost as if balance and scale were my main focus. She said I was very meticulous, and she once told me “I used to get a kick out of watching you, it was so cute.” From there, she began to nurture my creative curiosity through drawing, general craft making and even cooking.
Over the years I unconsciously began to explore everything that allowed me to express my creativity, almost as though I needed to prove to myself that I could do anything. This path led me down the road to become almost obsessed with needing to do something artistic, no matter the subject.
I joke with those close to me that I had become the “Quintessential gay man.” (I would use a different word of course, but for the purpose of this assignment, we'll say gay. Dark humor, am I right?)
I studied cosmetology and hated it. So, after a year or so of working in the field, I decided that being a hair slinging therapist was not for me.
If I continued listing all of my creative endeavors, this would be denser than War and Peace…so I will just keep it short. I have studied interior design, floral arts, and visual merchandising. I decorated huge private homes for the holiday season and even became a certified Yoga instructor…the list goes on.
Opening and owning a retail business for 21 years was the perfect avenue for my love of curating and creating spaces. During this time, in 2009, I went to design school and introduced JEFFREY PARISH, my line of clothing and shoes.
A few months before COVID hit, I closed my business. 21 years is a long time in retail! When COVID hit I needed an outlet, so I took to YouTube and began the journey of teaching myself pottery. I was instantly in love.
Fast forward 5 years. I have found my new home in Idyllwild and missing my retail space. So, I took the leap of faith in a community I have fallen in love with and opened a small shop with a pottery component. A place where I can continue my love of curating along with a space to work on my art and invite people in to learn and create with clay.
-How would you describe your work?
In addition to pottery, I also create artwork with entomology specimens, animal skulls and dried foliage. These I like to have a darker curiosity feel, using vintage images that are haunting or patterns that add a textual component.
I also create jewelry that includes components of pottery that I create. For my pottery, I love the organic “perfectly imperfect” feel of hand-built works. While I like throwing on the wheel, hand-building is my favorite modality of creating my work.
I like my work to look like it was created out of necessity and not want.
-What inspires you and brings you the most satisfaction in doing your creative endeavors?
Honestly, my work is inspired by the people who appreciate what I do. When someone purchases my work, it validates me to continue doing what I do. I used to base what I created on what I thought people wanted, so it was never really fulfilling. When I stopped and just created what came naturally, the inspiration flowed.
Also, in my work neutral and darker hues, inspired by the deep tones of nature, play a huge role in what I create.
@artifacts.idyllwild
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