Published in Yuba College, Clear Lake Campus's Student Publication

"The Blue Heron Review" Nov. 2004. Vol. 9 No. 5 (page 7)

 

Former student shines

By Johnelle Warren.

If you have driven down Lakeshore Drive after dark, any time within the past few years, no doubt you’ve noticed the exquisite lamps shining from the windows of Clayton Creek Studios.
“My lamps at night are my best advertisement!” said Paula Doran, former Clear Lake Campus student and owner of Clayton Creek Studios.
Doran had been making lamps from her home for about three years before she opened her shop at 14108 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, in 2001.
Her work has been featured in Sunset and El Décor Magazines. She often writes articles on lighting and home décor for the Record-Bee, the most recent being in the Sept. 30th Edition.
And Doran regularly donates her wares to local fundraisers. Most notably, she provided the table centerpieces for the 2003 Starz of Lake County Awards Ceremony. She will also be creating this year’s centerpieces.
At first, Doran focused on showing her lamps in home and garden shows, and the majority of her sales were from other areas. But for the past two years most of her business has come from local clients.
Each of Doran’s lamps is a unique creation. She often utilizes “found” objects for the lamp bases, such as handmade ceramic pots, lacquered branches, or other interesting items.
But it’s her lampshades that really shine. Her unique process took her several years of trial and error to perfect. She prints out artwork or photographs from her computer, and laminates them with sheets of mica.
Mica is a flaky stone that in thin layers is transparent. The laminated mica gives the lampshades a warm and earthy quality, and provides exceptional durability.
Doran was pleased to hear that CLC now offers an art degree, and had some advice for local art students.
“This is a good area for artists’. In a smaller community like ours it is easier to become recognized early on, and the overhead expenses aren’t as high as in most places.”
She said that one of the secrets to her success as an artist is that she has an easily accessible studio. “Having the visibility of an open studio makes a big difference.”
Doran also had some excellent advice for all students: “You’ve got to believe in yourself enough to invest your time and money in education, and in your future!”
Paula Doran’s continuing success, and her joy in her work, is truly an inspiration. This former CLC student shines even brighter than the lamps she creates!

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