How did your creative path lead you to ceramics?
I took a somewhat meandering path towards ceramics and I continue to enjoy the journey. It’s always been a passion of mine to make things with my hands and before ceramics that creative energy was mostly focused on drawing, painting, and fibre arts. I went to Emily Carr in Vancouver to study drawing and at the end of my time at school I was making huge geologically informed ink drawings on paper. So when I took up ceramics a few years after graduating it felt like a natural progression.
What's the part of the process you love most? The part that's hardest?
I love throwing pots on the wheel because there is a very peaceful and focused rhythm to it. The second step is trimming the pots and that is my favourite step without a doubt. Taking the leather hard pots and cutting away the excess clay to reveal the final profile is endlessly enjoyable for me. The final step of glazing the pots is a bit of a drag for me: it is boring and a bit dusty and if you do it wrong it is all for nothing.
What does a typical day in your studio look like?
My days usually start off with a coffee while doing some emails and general admin work. Once I get into the studio I assess what I have on the go and what needs to be done first. I do wholesale orders for shops and custom orders, as well as making pots to sell at markets and online. So there is often a general deadline dictating my workflow. Sometimes I am at the wheel throwing and trimming all day and other days I am mixing glazes and firing the kilns. It is always a mixed bag of tasks. My studio is downstairs in my house and I have been enjoying being able to pop upstairs for lunch or to have a little break.
If your ceramics could be described in three words, what would they be?
well-made, subtle, intriguing
What drew you to the Sunshine Coast and how has the move changed your work?
I ran my business in Vancouver full time for many years and it was always a constant challenge to find quality, long term, accessibly priced studios. It didn’t seem sustainable to stay in the city long term so we started to explore other places and communities last year. My boyfriend and I chose Powell River because there is a very active arts community here; there are lots of small creative businesses and music and arts festivals. We also wanted to be a bit closer to nature so we could enjoy more swimming, hiking, cycling, and camping. Deer and bears walk through our yard freely which is fun and I have been able to enjoy gardening again. Now that I live in Powell River I am able to slow down and focus a bit more on projects that are less product driven and more creative and time consuming. I can push my throwing skills in different directions and have fun exploring. Since we now call the Sunshine Coast home, I have decided to commit to the coastal vibes and make a blue glaze. It’s ephemeral, variegated, and beautiful.
