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Nils-Erik Hilliard started off as a painter who has always had a passion for art. He never considered it anything but a hobby and something that came easy to him. After a summer in New York visiting a couple of friends, his view of art changed. “My friend who was a ceramist needed some help with salt glazing. From there on, that’s when I started to pick up on ceramics,” said Hilliard.

Hilliard took classes at PCC where he started to develop his ceramics skills using geological or natural materials found at the science labs and assembling those pieces into a sculpture.

“I enjoy making things that are functional such as cups, bowls, casserole dishes, vases and teapots,” said Hilliard.

Glazing has become one of Hilliard’s favorite processes. He loves to work with “Shino” which is a traditional Japanese pottery glaze.

One of Hilliard’s biggest challenges as a ceramist is building big pieces. His biggest piece was a 35-inch tall giant teapot.

Hilliard hopes to become a ceramics teacher in the future. His goal is to transfer to UCLA with an art major.

“I just love how tactile it is and how immediate you can just make something. Painting is harder to start, whereas ceramics is easier,” said Hilliard.

He is currently working as a lab technician for ceramics Instructor Jim Gonzales and can often be seen in the lab during his free time. His current project is making an architecture form.

“He did such a great job in my class that I hired him as my lab tech,” Gonzales said. “He integrates his painting/drawing skills in other processes, which makes him good ceramist.” “Nils will stay in the art world.”

Hilliard’s pieces can be seen for sale on May 1 at the open-air flea market. His pieces range from $5 to $10.

“I do the best I can by putting in time and long hours into lab and learning more and more everyday,” said Hilliard.

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