Hello!

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I'm Jun Szegedi Duffield, you may already know me as Bottom Heavy. I’m pleased to meet you. What I envision this to really be is a place for me to jot down details of my process, updates on new works and projects and general musings. To start, I’ll dive in with some background on how my journey in making began and where it’s taking me now.

Art and making have always been a constant from my earliest memories. As a child, I was always either making things with my hands or writing songs and stories. Today, as I sit in my studio-by-night-office-by-day, I can't help but reflect on the path that led me here.

From the countless art school lessons of my childhood to the diverse influences in my family home, creativity and making was always encouraged. My mom, the occasional painter, and my dad, with his keen eye and a collector at heart, filled our home with various forms of art, each with its own story. It was in these formative years, amid the eclectic mix of Korean and Hungarian cultural influences, that my passion and creativity began to take shape.

The real turning point though came during my college years. I remember stepping into my first ceramics class, led by the incredible ceramic artist Gerardo Monterrubio. The feel of clay in my hands was an instant, love-at-first-sight type of experience. I was captivated, and soon I found myself enrolling in every ceramics course Gerardo taught. I just couldn’t get enough.

I took a bit of time off from working with clay during the transition from the mainland to Hawaii, but have gotten my groove back this year, I’m happy to say. And it’s a such a perfect time and place to rediscover pottery. The vivid hues and beautiful textures I’m surrounded with always find their way into my work. This natural tapestry complements my fascination with impressionism, expressionism and fauvism, styles I first discovered in my parents’ many art books as a child (books I devoured again and again) and explored at length in my Art History studies in school. Greats like Cézanne and Matisse have particularly influenced my approach to color and texture, while figures like Krasner and Frankenthaler embolden me to embrace expressive, unrestrained gestures in my work.

Juggling my life as a digital marketer by day adds another layer to my artistic identity. This contrasting role, far from diluting my passion, fuels it, offering a unique perspective that enriches my creative output. I find solace and freedom in my little studio during quiet evenings or reflective weekends. My process often begins with a theme, a poem or a series of stanzas, gradually transforming into detailed sketches and finally, sometimes years later, into a tangible piece. It's a journey of constant exploration and expression – one that I've only recently mustered the courage to share with the world.

The name 'Bottom Heavy' encapsulates so much of who I am. It's a playful reminder of the early days of pottery, where keeping the walls and floor of pots even was a challenge, often resulting in pieces that were, quite literally, bottom-heavy. It's also a lighthearted reference to my own self-image, embodying my approach to both life and art: not taking myself too seriously and finding joy in the playful aspects of creation.

As I continue on this artistic journey, my aspirations are as varied and vibrant as the mediums I explore. I am sort of a magpie, and it might be a case of undiagnosed ADHD but it’s almost comical how truly my artistic curiosity knows no bounds. If I could, I would just spend my entire day learning and making. All of the things. This past summer I had the pleasure of learning how to create a collagraph from the amazing Welsh printmaker Marian Hâf and had great fun exploring a new medium. I’m looking forward to honing my printmaking skills in the future. I would also really love to explore glass blowing some day. Have you seen that show on Netflix, Blown Away? Would highly recommend watching. Also am dying to learn how to learn more about traditional Hawaiian woven wares.

Sigh, I wish there were more hours in the day. But more than anything, I hope to bring a bit of joy and whimsy into the lives of those who encounter my makings. While I'm always open to collaborations and community projects, my biggest wish is to connect with you, dear reader, and share a bit of myself with you, and maybe inspire something within you in the process.

So, here's to the journey ahead – one filled with bright colors, bold textures, and the endless joy of creation. Until next time.

Xoxo, Jun