The wheel is turning
ERIN HUPP • Erin Hupp Ceramics
WORK • Wednesday Routine
ERIN HUPP • artist • Erin Hupp Ceramics
Neighborhood you live in: Oakland
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Wednesdays are my favorite, because they’re studio days. I’m either throwing on the pottery wheel, trimming, or glazing my pieces. One Wednesday a month, I devote myself completely to new directions in my art practice. I started time-blocking development days a few years ago because it’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, rather than imagining something new. On the other Wednesdays, I’m throwing orders on my wheel, like the recent pedestals I designed in collaboration with chefs Frank Vollkommer and Philip Tessier for Understudy, a new patisserie in St. Helena.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Much of my art practice is based on collaboration, which involves a beautiful, inspiring process with chefs and interior designers. This month, I’m working on something a bit different — designing a jewelry collection with Subikksha Balaje Bhasin, the owner and designer of the jewelry brand Goldstories. She had the idea of using the sculptural design of my Ink Texture Fold plate to inspire a full collection of jewelry — ring, earrings, pendant, and necklace.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I always have restaurant plans, and I have so many favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. Both Nightbird and Californios feature my plates in their multi-course dinner menus. Enclos, a newer restaurant in a renovated 1880s Victorian house on the Sonoma square, also features three of my pieces. For some hidden gem casual dining in the Bay Area and wine country, I recommend Molino Central (Sonoma), Popoca (Oakland), L’Ardoise (San Francisco), and Bake Sum (Oakland) for pastries.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Hiking and backpacking is how I recharge. Last summer we backpacked Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite and this upcoming summer we have permits to Desolation Wilderness, a picturesque part of the Pacific Crest Trail, where we’ll swim in pristine alpine lakes after a rigorous six-mile hike with a pack.
Any weekend getaways?
Our annual family vacation is at Mar Vista, up the coast near Gualala. It’s a gorgeous drive up the 101 to a set of renovated cottages with French country charm, ocean views, and goats and chickens (fresh eggs!) on site. My children help gather and distribute the freshly laid eggs to each cabin, feed the goats, and watch the bunnies. There is an organic, pick-your-own garden and the kids love making special salads for us. Gualala is a cute town with everything you need on a vacation, from coffee shops and farmers markets to Friday fish fries. Most years, we indulge in a lunch or dinner at the Harbor House Inn while the grandparents watch our children.
What was your last great vacation?
I celebrated my birthday in Mexico City. We stayed at La Valise and dined at Quintonil, Em Restaurant, and Masala y Maiz. I also loved getting lost in the scents and ambiance of Xinu perfumerie.
Photo: Kristen Loken.