My name is Rachel Slick. I am a ceramic sculptor. I am requesting funding

to help install a good quality used kiln, the necessary additional equipment, a concrete pad, and electrician fees at my home studio.

From 1999 to 2010, I was following my dream as a public art sculptor. My large scale public sculptures can be found across the country in parks, rapid transit stations, and libraries, bringing inspiration to many.

In 2011, health issues I have battled since age ten became massively worse. I fought against it, but was forced to give up my dream job and go on disability in order to feed my kids. As a measure of the severity of my case, the social security administration approved my disability claim immediately, no contest.

There followed a time of deep depression. I could do nothing but lie in bed in pain. All around me my world fell apart and my husband and three young sons withdrew from me. Our finances went from bad to worse.

After two years of suffering and soul searching, countless doctor visits and frightening medical procedures I forced myself up and reinvented
myself as an artist, mother, wife, while living with my great health challenges.

At age 43, I have been diagnosed with chronic migraines, cluster headaches, aka suicide headaches, and tension headaches. I have crippling pain in my neck and shoulders. I have scoliosis which causes unbearable back, arm and shoulder pain.

I have tremors and muscle spasms and numbness in my arms and legs, and vestibular ( eye) issues that cause blurred vision, vertigo and nausea. I have lesions on my brain. In the last week, I have been diagnosed with Grave's disease, a lifelong, incurable autoimmune disease.

Even with such health trauma, I am deeply blessed, too.
I have three beautiful sons and a husband who does his best to keep our family going even when I am too broken to get out of bed. I have supportive family and friends. I have a few collectors of my art who have turned into treasured friends. I have a roof over my head and food to eat. What we don't have is money. We live well below the poverty level and struggle to support our family with an annual income of 18-22K a year.

I found a way to reinvent myself as an artist by scaling down my creativity and working with ceramics. As they say in the ceramic world, I was called by Mother Clay.

Working with clay is joyful and therapeutic. My contemporary Milagros and celebration of the joys and pain of existence strike a chord in many people.
I have found representation in two galleries in the Southwest, but sales have
been minimal for the last year.

I have the opportunity to show my work in three new galleries in New Mexico and California in 2016. But I need equipment to continue making my work.

Until now, my ceramic work is fired in a kiln owned by a very generous friend.

This cannot go on indefinitely. My request for donations will fund the purchase and installation of essential equipment in my studio. 

For anyone who donates $10 or more, your name will be entered to win a ceramic dish from my Nesting Animals series OR from my Dia de Muertos series, your choice. These works of art are in progress, but examples of my work can be found on my website. I will share photos of the finished pieces as they become available. Anyone who donates over $120 will automatically be given a Nesting Animal or Dia de Muertos plate of their choice, free shipping included.

Please make sure to include your name and address if you wish to be included in the drawing.

Thank you for reading my story. I am deeply grateful for your support.
Rachel

for more about my artwork, please visit my website at 
Www.rachelslicksculpture.homestead.com