Ya-Yo's Circus

I’ll start this out by saying a little bit about myself.
My name is Riley, I’m 16.
I live in Oulu Wisconsin, a town of 600,

even though to everyone it seems like its closer to 200.
My parents and grandparents share 80 acres of woods.
As you can imagine, it was perfect for growing up.
We live about 15 minutes from Lake Superior and about 5 from the Brule River.
My mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, uncle and aunt are all artists.

What’s it like growing up in a family of artists, seeing your parents
and grandparents making a living on creating art?
The answer: Inspiring
Ever since I can remember I’ve been surrounded by art.
I honestly didn’t know there were people who DIDN’T work on art projects everyday.
Learning to glassblow with my grandfather when I was 5,
drawing little pictures and asking my mom how I can improve.
I starting a jewelry business around the age of 8, and kept with that until the age of around 14.
Got a screenprinter and lampworking set for christmas (Artists give the best gifts!)
Started working with plaster in 2014, LOVED IT!
Started working with clay when my mother did (also in 2014)

So whats it like always being surrounded by art, and those who create it?
The answer: Awesomely busy!
Imagine growing up in a house where you have a separate room for clay, drawing, etc.etc.
And the house next over, being your grandparents house, glassblowing studio space and gallery.
Its hard to have a dull moment when there’s always something that can be made.
but when I did feel bored it always went something like this:
“Moooommmmm, I’m so bored!!”
“Well, then go make something”
“I already did”
“Then go build a fort”
“I’ve done that already”
“Go make another one, or go draw something”
“But I do that all the time”
“Go dig some clay out of the ground and make something out of that.
Either find something to do, or I’ll think of something you can help me with”
“OK! I’ll go find clay!”
“Good, thought that may be the answer :)”
A few hours later I’d show her the army of little creatures I had made out of muddy clay.
Then I’d be off again, carrying them into the forest so they could protect the castle from giant worms and beetles.
Always something to be done!

Last year, I received many boxes of plaster wrap cloth.
I wasn’t sure what to do with it at first, but it wasn’t long until that changed.
I decided I’d experiment with it, just to see what it was like.
I ended up making a suit of armor, (2013 “Steampunk Armor”)
And ever since then, I’ve been making masks!
I loved working with it, its so cool to take a piece of cloth and turn it into a beautiful mask.

My mom started making sculptures out of clay, so naturally I had to try it too.
Thus my monsters were created,I love giving them each little personalities.
I’ve recently started drawing more monsters, and painting them in with watercolor.

I love what I do, and I’m really hoping others will too!
Thank you so much for taking a moment to read this.
And for joining me on my new journey of adding another generation to the family of Artists!