Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ian Wolterstorff. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I think about having a regular office job when I let my mind wander as I work. Ceramic art is a long, tedious process that you mostly do by yourself, and when you’ve exhausted your podcast playlist, it’s time to raw dog reality and let your mind go where it wants. Maybe I’m in a body-swap movie where I wake up as a finance bro, and he wakes up as me, a clay art dude. We both face adversity but overcome it and find love in the end. That sounds nice.

There’s a darker version of this alternate life projection game we play. It can produce unhelpful levels of self-doubt, risking a full-on meltdown, resulting in a temper flare that makes me throw what I’m working on in the garbage. The danger zone for me is day two of a clay build, when I lean back to get perspective and see something grotesque. An abomination that cuts me down to a tiny man who’s just pretending to be a ceramic artist. What a useless asshole. That’s me, everyone! A worthless piece – of – shit.

Yeah, so I try to avoid those scenarios. I take it easy on myself. If I make something ugly, it’s all good. Try again and do better next time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I make things out of clay on a pottery wheel. My pieces can be purchased at art fairs and in stores around Los Angeles. The process I use is called wheel throwing, where a hunk of clay spins on a motorized wheel, creating centripetal force that I skillfully resist to shape something that looks cool.

My creative process starts with function. Is it a vase? Maybe it’s an ashtray. What if it’s an ashtray that holds matches and you can strike them on the surface of the piece? Alright, cool. Time for the design phase, which consists of me having a nice think. I listen to bizarre ambient tracks in my backyard studio imagining shapes, colors, and that video of a cross-eyed cat my homie sent me. No. Stop it. Stay focused… After a general vision wins out, I get on the wheel to make it happen. If it’s a new design, it takes weeks to create multiple drafts so I can edit out what I don’t like and keep what works. After a while, you have a collection of pieces, and you’re ready for the commerce phase—famously difficult for artists who typically want to be left alone in their studio. Go away. You’re harshing my flow state, bro.

It’s also hard for me because I’m not that into the idea of branding. It seems icky. There’s something about using my personal story or a philosophical framing to sell my work that feels sort of scammy. I might be overthinking this, but what I really want is just to be free to make stuff, and if people want to buy said stuff, that’s great! If not, whatever. It’s all good. I’m not sure what my backstory has to do with the decision to buy one of my bowls for your dining room table. I guess it’d be relevant if I was some sort of evil d-bag with a loud-ass motorcycle that wakes you up during a post-lunch nap. Then yeah, don’t support me. But that ain’t me. I respect the rights of post-lunch nappers.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Oh man. The society question is massive. Individuals can just buy local art—go to art fairs, buy online, just give them all your money. But what can society do beyond financial support? I don’t know. Seems like something an art historian spends their entire life thinking about, and I have a short paragraph. Hmm…

Alright, I took a break to think about it. Underground art movements thriving in harsh societies came to mind. Did those avant-garde artists of the first half of the twentieth century need to be in oppressive societies to bring out their best work? Maybe. But it seems like it must have sucked to live in Stalinist Russia. I bet those artists would have preferred a comfy life in Encino, farting in yoga class from overeating Chipotle. Creativity tends to thrive in chaotic environments, so I’m not sure we want to bend society to favor artists.

I guess we could influence society to value art more, but it feels like that’s already happening. We seem very accepting of creative people, especially on social media. There’s a massive incentive to show off your artistic skills or express your ‘deeper truth,’ and I wouldn’t say we’re in some kind of modern renaissance because of it. There’s definitely some really cool shit out there, for sure, but I’m not sure the opportunity for exposure has led to an explosion of quality art.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The goal is to keep growing, man. Enjoy the ride. Go full McConaughey on life. Walk around shirtless with an American flag headband on. Get buff so that nude flex to the mirror before you get in the shower feels legitimate. Think about doing a weird diet where you just eat eggshells and uncooked rice. Maybe don’t do that. Point is, there’s so many options.

With my art, the mission is just to not stop making. Keep getting better and be motivated by improvement. It’s exciting to think about how good I can get at this. Who knows—maybe one day I’ll make the cover of a ceramic magazine and a very small group of people will know who I am. Imagine the niche notoriety!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wolterstorffceramics.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolterstorffceramics/
• Other: Links to store in LA where my work is carried…

  Potted
  3216 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
  https://pottedstore.com/

  Homage
  100 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103
  https://homagepasadena.com/

Image Credits

The photographer is…. Matt Rose

website: https://www.mattrose.me/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mattsceramics/