I was raised in an old farmhouse in Maine, surrounded by plants, tools, animals, community, tumbling rock walls, and a quiet barn full of friends’ forgotten belongings. Those aesthetics translate well to the decay and growth of New Orleans; my work is at home here in the Deep South.

I am a sculptor, preserver, and historical restoration artist. I explore decay, vulnerability, growth and time through the treatment of glass, found objects, light, and plant material. I run my restoration and design business, Paraph, from my home studio in the 7th ward. I use traditional glass techniques inventively. 

I received my Bachelor of Arts from Hampshire College with an intersectional focus on sculpture and literary journalism. I returned to academia in 2022 to get her MFA in glass sculpture at Tulane University. Concurrent with the graduate program I was awarded a community-engaged Mellon fellowship, which offered an opportunity to more fully integrate my studio practice with my social justice commitments. My dream job is to be a sculptural journalist, and I am diligently working to forge that path.

Please contact me about preserving wedding flowers (or any plant important to you) in glass, custom orders welcome! See more at caitlinwaugh.com and on instagram @caitlinezellwaugh

Describe your art in three words. Inventive, Conceptual, Decay.

Describe yourself in one word. Verbose.

What do you love the most about creating art in New Orleans? What particular part of your immediate environment, or in your neighborhood, specifically influences your work? I pay attention to which plants are blooming in my neighborhood throughout the year, and to the architecture around me; the rot, glass, steel, and the sound of the boats on the river, and the squeal of the train on the tracks. I have such supportive neighbors who sit on the porch and go on impromptu twilight walks with me, and feed me when I’m too distracted by work to feed myself.

Describe your creative process. Are there any rituals or rites of passage you exercise before you begin a new piece? Questions that I have about the world often prompt bodies of work. A list of esoteric architectural terms, for example, or health care in Venezuela, the prison industrial complex, or a desire to learn about the medicinal and poisonous plants of Louisiana. Some of my designs are ‘traditionally’ functional (lighting, vessels), and many are conceptually functional- making the work allows me to investigate topics of interest, and present them as ‘sculptural journalism’ to my audience.

Where do you draw inspiration? Nature. Industry. My incredibly intelligent and creative friends and family. Joy. Sorrow. Found objects. Travel. Deep inside myself. Exercise. All six senses.

Who are your artistic influences, or gurus? My father. My paternal grandfather. My next-door neighbor growing up, Norman Desroche. The glazier I apprenticed under, Barry Friedman. Amazing friends, so many! Brancusi is an old favorite. Liza Lou!!

Where can we find you when you are not creating art? In the garden, the kitchen, on the dance floor, traveling, visiting friends and family, building my New Orleans community.

What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year? I have always loved the madrugada: late, late night. I love the summer, especially in Maine, which is where I’m from. I feel most productive in the fall, it feels like the new year to me. I was born in the winter (January 31) and I love the winter solstice holidays. I adore the lively energy of the Spring. Sunday mornings are also an especially sacred time.

What is something people don’t know about you? A fun fact. My stage name for performances in the lawn as a child was “Tanya LaBamba.” I still remember most of my routine to ‘Walk of Life’ by Dire Straits.

All works listed online are available to be viewed at Where Y’Art Gallery by appointment.

Items typically ship within 7-10 business days. Local NOLA delivery and pick-up is also an option. The shipping costs and timeline for custom work will vary depending on the scope of the project. Once a design is decided upon, a production timeline will be given and kept.

For international orders, additional shipping costs and fees associated with customs and duty may be applied. For international shipping prices, rush orders or commissions, login in and send me a private message through the messaging tool on my profile page.

Protecting my work from the dangers of shipping is a priority for me. All of my glass and clay pieces are ‘floated’ - wrapped carefully with foam or bubble wrap in one box which is then placed inside a larger box filled with soft packing material. I am happy to combine shipping as long as all pieces can travel safely together.

Sales are final with the following exceptions. -If, as the buyer, you feel that the item you received does not match the description, or is not what you intended to purchase, please contact me. Additionally, if an item is damaged during shipping, it can be either replaced, restored, or the buyer can be reimbursed. If, within the first six months of ownership, the buyer finds that the piece is not functioning as desired (electrical or hanging hardware malfunctioning, for example, as long as it is not a result of misuse), please contact me for free repairs. I want this exchange to make us both feel good; please communicate with me about any concerns. Note: Much of the work I make is fragile and accidents happen - if damage is incurred, please contact me; I may be able to give you a discount on restoration cost.