Family of artists: Faith Potter continues parents’ tradition of award-winning creativity

As the winner of this year’s Eastern Women’s Committee of 50 Art Show, Faith Potter continued a tradition within her family.

Faith’s father, Jody Potter, won the same contest in its inaugural year in 1990 with a linoleum cut print of Elvis on a train. In 1996, Faith’s mother, Jami Potter, earned second place in the show for her charcoal drawing of a tree. Additionally, all three are graduates of Pinson Valley High School’s AP Art program.

Susan Conway, the current president of the EWCF, didn’t realize the connection until chatting with the family after the show. “I asked Faith if her drawing was of Elvis, and she told me it was of her father,” she said.

When Jody told her about the family connection, “I couldn’t believe it,” Conway said.

Each year, art teachers in eastern Jefferson County high schools send in submissions from graduating seniors. Students are often unaware their artwork has been entered until after the teacher has made his or her selection.

Pinson Valley art teachers Melissa Jones and Christopher Screws submitted an element from Faith’s AP art project. Faith said, “We had to do 12 pieces that are connected in some way. I decided to do all kinds of people of different cultures, ages and races with the same emotion, to show that we’re all more alike than we are different.”

Throughout the ups and downs inherent with adolescence and high school years, Faith has found art as a vehicle for expression and an escape from the demands of her other schoolwork.

“Art has really helped me get away from stress and everything going on at school. I can put my emotions into art, which is what I think makes some artists so good. You can feel the painting and not just look at it,” she said.

In addition to the AP Art program at PVHS, Faith attributes the creative home environment provided by her parents for her developing skills. “My parents have been a big influence on my creativity. As I’ve grown up, there has always been a lot of art around the house that they’ve done. That always inspired me because I knew I wanted to be able to do that one day,” Faith said.

One such piece of art on display is the charcoal drawing that earned Jami a second place ribbon in the same EWCF Art Show in 1996.

Like her daughter, Jami said the encouragement from her parents and her ninth grade art teacher Wayne Lyles was pivotal.

“I can still remember this one assignment that we did. When he came around the room, he kind of made a big deal out of mine. That was the first time I thought maybe it wasn’t just my parents being nice,” Jami said.

Jami also found solace in art through her high school years. She said, “I was kind of shy growing up and just kind of kept to myself. I used art as an outlet to kind of escape.”

The basement area of the Potter family’s home has been converted to a studio of sorts with art tables displaying projects in various stages of completion. Adding to the energy of the home, Faith’s two siblings are gifted percussionists.

Jami said, “Our house is one of those that’s never clean but there’s always something fun to do. There’s always a project on every open surface. Our youngest is 14, and it’s taken me until now to realize that their friends don’t care. This is just the fun house that they can come to and do experiments or paint and just have fun.”

Jami continues her craft through portraiture work, often combining family members who aren’t able to be together in person into one portrait. Working as a graphic artist for UAB, Jody’s hobby is old cars.

Even as she continues her art education, Faith is already receiving commissioned projects in the area. Gymnasts at ARK WinGS in Trussville are photographed in front of angel wings painted by Faith as they promote to the next skill level. She has also designed T- shirts for various events at her church and throughout the community, as well as doing wedding photography. Work on a mural at Pinson Valley Sports Complex is already underway.

Whether it’s DNA, an encouraging home environment, educational mentors or benefactors such as the EWCF, many resources have combined to create a support network for Faith.

Jody said, “She’s such a hard worker and doesn’t quit anything. She’s so determined. Some kids try things out, but if Faith is going to do something, she’s going to put everything she has into it. Her future’s so bright. She has unlimited potential, and we’re so proud of her.”