Daily Inspiration: Meet Eliot Caldwell

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Eliot Caldwell.

Hi Eliot, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I’m from West Texas. I studied mixed media at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, then graduated from Texas Tech with my BFA. Upon graduation, I moved to Nashville for a job in book publishing with a New York publishing house for about five years. During the pandemic, I felt a creative void and turned to sculpture, exploring different styles by recreating famous works I liked. Over the next two years, I focused on finding my unique style. 

My family has a ranch in New Mexico that my dad has been renovating, so I decided to create art for it, blending a West Texas feel with the natural colors and textures of the ranch. After making some vases for the ranch, I realized I’d found my niche. The pieces I created were then exhibited at Paris Design Week’s 1000 Vases Exhibition, inspiring me to pursue sculpture full-time.  

Since then, I’ve received commissions from Texas to Blackberry Mountain, with a collaborative piece being displayed at Bergdorf’s in New York this spring. I also teach a sculpture class at the Sarratt Gallery at Vanderbilt. I plan to continue with private commissions and launch a direct-to-consumer line later this year. 

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some parts are smooth. Some are bumpy – as with anything! Making the decision to go full-time was the hardest part. Suddenly, I was responsible for setting prices, promoting my work, and navigating the landscape of the art world. Internally, I struggled selling or displaying my art, as I’m a perfectionist, and nothing felt ready. 

Externally, there are many hurdles: pieces blowing up in the kiln, contracts, and rejection from submissions. Each set-back leaves me with more confidence and wisdom for the next, it’s all about keeping the right perspective and good things will come! 

I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a sculpture artist and designer. I’d say my vases are what people like the most, but I’m most proud of my larger-scale projects! 

I’m currently making a totem pole that is around 7ft. tall – I’d like to move into a large scale and have a separate line of home decor objects. My work has elements from my Spanish heritage, West Texas landscape with some Mexican inspired hand building techniques, which sets it apart. 

What would you say was one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Take it slow! It’s not a race. I have been very deliberate in learning the business side, who to work with on projects, and not rushing into anything too fast. 

Where you put your efforts adds up, so making sure I set big goals and only work towards them, everything else along the way is a distraction! In that same regard, don’t take yourself too seriously. 

Contact Info:

• Website: eliotcaldwell.com
• Instagram: @eliotcaldwell

Image Credits
Jessica Amerson