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

Jezz, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?

I’ve had a number of different jobs over the years in different areas. Some have been practical and others more on the admin side. Looking back, I have always felt a connection with the earth, the soil, nature. From my time at Agricultural college, to gardening, to enjoying creation and now creating pottery artwork and functional pots. It’s always been there: I just didn’t realize I was an artist.

Being owner of a small business I have to wear many hats. I find that I’ve gleaned knowledge from past jobs such as accounting skills, managing people, being able to converse with people at all levels. Meeting them where they are really. All these things have assisted me in my day-to-day interactions with potential customers and other artists. Going to shows and chatting with those interested in knowing about the whole process involved in the ceramics world.

Jezz, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

When I was about 10 years old, we had a go on the pottery wheel at school. From that time onwards, I wanted to do it again but we never did! So for the next 40 years I think I always had a potter inside me but no opportunity to realize my dream. For my 50th birthday, I decided I would sign up for a class and see what happened. And that was that! I was hooked! I loved it and have never stopped.

In 2015 I was laid off from my corporate job with the Oil and Gas industry and took the big leap of starting my own business, “Pottery by Jezz.” I have my own home studio in Sand Springs and feel very fortunate that I can be totally independent and work in there whenever I wish.

I began learning the wheel and it wasn’t until several years later that I found myself hand-building small animal figures and other ornaments and doing slab work. It happened by accident really. I had fallen and cracked ribs which made it too painful to work on the wheel. It takes surprising strength and the whole torso to throw pots on the wheel.

My work is mainly functional with a twist of whimsy and a touch of quirkiness but always made with love. I like to think the purchaser takes away a bit of me in their pot.

I do some commission work and have made Croquet trophies for the Tulsa Croquet Club and a number of dishes for a local hospital for their annual party. It all varies as to what I’m asked to make and ideas develop and evolve. I’ve made Memory Bowls for weddings, anniversaries, and years of service. These are personalized for the receiver and occasion. Animals are also in the mix of recipients as I personalize dog bowls and make memorial hearts with the name of the dog and a phrase that has meaning to the family.

I enjoy participating a several events through the year. Tulsa Mayfest is a big one that I enjoy as it is full of artists and art-loverts alike which is so inspiring. More recently I’ve submitted works to be exhibited in art galleries. I’m a member of Alpha Rho Tau which is the Civic Art Association I belong to. This has contributed to more learning experiences and finding out about other art disciplines not just 3D.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being an artist is not necessarily an easy option. There is no regular income. You have to seek out other artists and events. There is so much you don’t know when you begin. I remember doing a lot of donkey work, trekking to different stores, shops, etc. to see if there was a possibility of selling my work in them. The number of times no-one responded was the norm. Some shows were, and are, like that too… The key is to find the right audience. The art-lovers and pottery purchasers… They are the ones to engage. Sometimes it’s hard getting a win because you have to do the bad shows in order to know they are indeed bad shows. It’s all a learning curve.

The same applies to the craft. You don’t know what you don’t know! There is so much to learn about creating a pot, trimming a pot, decorating a pot, sanding a pot, firing a pot, glazing a pot, firing a pot again and so it goes on. I remember glazing a large colander that I’d been asked to make for a commission. I had the glaze mixed too thick and as a consequence, the glaze ran in the kiln and attached to the kiln shelf making it totally useless. It wrecked the shelf as well as the piece that had at that stage been several weeks in the making! Some lessons are expensive to learn.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best way for society to support artists is to buy local artwork. Attend the local art shows and events in your local town or city and seek out the stores and galleries that have artwork in them for sale. This is huge. Not every artist has the option of a bricks and mortar business to show their work. They have to rely on consigning work in local places that are open to do that. Sometimes this involves about half the fee going to the gallery, so even if the work is sold, the artist doesn’t see all the money. If the Artis has a website and social media, support them by giving them a ‘like’ or sharing an upcoming event. Every little bit helps.
Reviews are a BIG deal so please send a review on Google, Yelp, or Facebook: whatever platform you use. These are a few ways you can help your local artist get noticed. They aren’t a big corporation backed with loads of money. They are a tiny speck in the scheme of things but what a sad and grey world it would be without them!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jezzpots.com
• Instagram: @potterybyjezz
• Facebook: Pottery by Jezz
• Linkedin: Jezz Strutt Pottery by Jezz