Today’s guest I have known of for over a decade. I have watched her create and grow from afar and have been inspired by her drive. Constantly shifting, molding, and tackling every task big and small with everything she has. Fast forward to today and I am wondering why I did not corner her sooner and make her be my friend since the start. After a chat you leave feeling inspired that life is beautiful in every circumstance and you should take every advantage that comes your way, you never know where it will lead. She is one who wears many hats and can be found styling sets for photos, commercials, and some production designing for feature films. I am so grateful Katherine was able to take some time and allow me to capture her in her studio doing what she loves, creating for Civil Stoneware, her newest venture that leaves me breathless. Her goods not only have an earthly elegant feel, but are also functional. You can see my favorite tray at use here. Can’t wait to add more to my very own collection.
CONVERSATIONS WITH KATHERINE
LETS TALK BUSINESS…
HOW AND WHEN DID CIVIL STONEWARE COME TO LIFE?
I’ve always had my hands in pottery since I graduated college in 2001, where I learned to throw and ended up selecting it as my concentration as an Art Major, but it was after I wrapped working on a movie in November of 2016 that I had the time to delve into undivided studio time. Working with clay has always been a way to decompress from stressful production jobs. I’m a bit of a busy body and receive so much satisfaction creating. I stumbled on a relatively new soft black clay body and was in love. Every form I created with the black clay lead me to create more and more. The way light plays with the matte finish… was a dream.
I feel like all my life experiences, even ones that seemed confusing at the time, have all lead up to me being prepared to take the plunge into the ultimate rush of creating a business.
It seemed like in a week I had a line of about 10 pieces, beginning with the pour over and then a few sizes of plates; olive server, spoons, a loving cup, a bottle opener, a couple of trays and a pendant light. It’s always been a joy to help other artists find their way in the business world, and I felt like Civil Stoneware serves that desire as well. A way to connect artists, employ and teach them to help create the forms. Spending a little time hanging out and talking when your hands are busy making, is a great way to connect. Personally, I feel like family with every maker in the studio and I think they do as well.
I KNOW IN ADDITION TO OWNING A BEAUTIFUL STONEWARE COMPANY YOU ALSO WORK IN STYLING. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL WORK DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
Oh yessss, my other love… Advertising, Brands, and Set Decoration. Depending on the day, I’m either styling sets for photos, commercials and/or some production designing for feature films. I’ve been fortunate that the schedules work together. As an artist I feel like it keeps me fresh and inspired to mix things up. I find a stagnant repetitious schedule can be challenging to my personality. Call times are usually pretty early, somewhere in the 6a-8a and wrapped in 10hrs. Lunch break is when I address any Civil Stoneware emails, so it’s a long day but extremely rewarding. I usually have a few days to prep (shop + buy) and I work from design boards. It’s very important to get as much as you can approved ahead of time, so design boards are a must for me. Having options on set is also a must, so there’s a lot of hauling items and keeping your mobile office tidy. Then there’s a day of wrap or so, where I return items not used and put personal props away. Then I go dance or do some sort of exercise for fun. There is usually a couple of days a week that I am not styling so those become studio days where I make or coordinate workers to come in and fill orders. It changes weekly so that’s why if you’d like to visit the studio, or take a pottery class, it’s by appointment only.
IS THERE A COMMON DESIGN DETAIL THAT RUNS THROUGH EACH OF YOUR PIECES?
I would hope it would be a simply timeless aesthetic. Perhaps it’s a love for Korean Pottery and firing techniques I studied in college. I love functional pieces too. Ones that you can live with comfortably while using on the daily.
HOW DO YOU STAY INSPIRED WHILE KEEPING INLINE WITH YOUR OWN AESTHETIC ALL WHILE BEING IN A BUSINESS THAT LENDS ITSELF TO BEING IN CONSTANT ROTATION VISUALLY?
I see inspiration like a river that is swirling and flowing all over earth, you simply access it by desire. Haven’t you noticed that with trends? They kinda flow and become a thing for a while and then cycle out and something new naturally emerges. Perhaps tapping into the creative is more about a sensitivity or an awareness to what’s happening under the surface. I don’t know though… {THIS THOUGHT WILL STICK WITH ME FOR YEARS TO COME}
HAVE ANY BUSINESS ADVICE THAT YOU CAN INPART?
I would say just jump in! You can study up all you want, but the best teacher is experience, so you just have to take the leap.
WHAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST HURDLES TO OVERCOME OWNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
Leveraging capital and knowing what and when to invest. Small business is pricey! There’s great risk involved and you truly have to trust your instinct. Investing in equipment, trade shows, Research and Development, all while spending real man hours making and managing people. You have to think and act quick. That’s when I see all the years of preparation that went in, even when I wasn’t even aware, that I was being trained for this very thing. It’s really beautiful. It’s when I see God orchestrating all the streams of experiences in my life and bringing them together at the perfect time. You really do have to trust the process. Not that I’ve arrived or anything, but I don’t think I would have done it any different. I’m having so much fun and am very grateful I am able to work in my passion.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE…
IMAGINE YOU HAD A DAY OFF AND COULD SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. HOW WOULD YOU SPEND THAT DAY?
Traveling! Snow skiing, the beach, the lake with family, but also spa days are a great way to unwind as well!
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL UNIFORM?
My daily dress has really has become a uniform. I feel like I totally get why Steve Jobs went with the same kit every (work) day, to save time and put comfort first. I love simple looks and get the basics at Zara and have a few splurge pieces from Open Ceremony. I also find pieces at places I stumble on while traveling and work those in as little accents. Although since my work is pretty labor intensive, spandex is likely in there somewhere.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE READ OR PODCAST?
I am a podcast/youtube listener. I love listening while I am throwing on the wheel or trimming pottery. I kinda get into conspiracy theories and they have some wild testimonies on there.
WHERE DO YOU TURN TO FOR INSPIRATION?
Traveling has always inspired me, simply taking in all the new. Hitting up little boutique shops around the globe is always the thing that gets me excited. Scouring the streets and small neighborhoods for carefully curated shops is the fastest way for me to be inspired. Nothing like seeing what’s going on in the hearts of other creatives. At home, it’s online. There’s so much at our fingertips… it’s truly a really great time to be alive.
SINCE I AM CURRENTLY ON MY OWN INTENTIONS KICK, WHAT IS YOUR 2019 INTENTION {GOAL} FOR THE YEAR AND ONE ACTION YOU ARE TAKING TO GET ACHIEVE SAID GOAL?
GOAL: Make the most of every opportunity.
ACTION: Daily I try to make the most of every opportunity.
Follow Katherine on her shop IG, here. Also be sure to visit her goods, Civil Stoneware , here.
