We were lucky to catch up with Melodie Grace recently and have shared our conversation below.

Melodie , appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I am very fortunate to have supportive parents who did so many things right! They are both creative people, so art and expression are valued in my family. My dad is a musician and my mom spent much of her free time sewing, crocheting, and doing needlepoint. I am proud of the fact that my brothers and I have all found our work in creative fields, as a ceramic artist, a musician, and a chef. This is a testament to the way we were raised.

I was praised early and often for my artistic talents, and was given a myriad of opportunities to try my hand at a variety of mediums. My parents encouraged my interests and never seemed irritated or put out by them or the time they had to invest to keep me involved.

I have precious, vivid memories of watching my parents work together to make me a doll house in which every aspect was built, decorated, and furnished by their own hands. My doll couch was made from a Velveeta box and it was AWESOME! My brothers and I sang on stage with our dad at church, at festivals, and sometimes even at his Saturday night gigs. Then there was the Christmas my brothers and I were each gifted a Cabbage Patch Doll with an extensive doll wardrobe that our mom had sewn for us. I appreciated the gifts and occasions as a kid, but when I think back on them as an adult, my heart swells with gratitude for the time and energy they put into crafting something so special for us.

Thanks to my creative heritage, becoming an artist was never a question. I saw both of my parents prioritize creativity for themselves and for us as their kids. Because of this, I’ve enjoyed a life free of boredom and full of possibilities. I treasure the handmade and the handmakers, and cherish the connections creativity brings.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a ceramic artist located in Nashville, TN. I love all the endless possibilities of pottery, but I specialize in raku, an ancient Japanese pit firing method. One of my favorite aspects of this technique is that I am essentially able to draw with smoke. How awesome is that?

I work in both traditional and naked raku and enjoy every aspect of the firing process. Smoke and flame combine to create unpredictable variation in the finished pieces, so there’s always an element of surprise. Raku is unique in that it is a hands on firing process and I am intimately involved in each step. Each time I fire, I build my small kiln, I mix my own glazes, and I nurture the pieces through the fire. Even with all that time and attention, the way a piece turns out is always completely unique and one-of-a-kind. I love the juxtaposition of clean lines and crisp details, with the raw, rustic, unpredictable process. It is exciting to be doing something new with such an ancient technique.

In addition to being juried into great shows and winning several awards, in 2018 I launched a collaborative line of limited edition pottery with west elm. That was an amazing experience and a highlight of my art career so far. My business has changed a bit since the pandemic as I am working another full time job and and not traveling near as much for shows. In 2021 I set up a home studio and have begun teaching private and semi-private classes. I am having so much fun seeing my students create and gain new skills, and I am thrilled to be a part of their artistic journeys.

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

Literally every aspect of our lives are influenced by art and design, yet artists (unless celebrities) are undervalued by society. We can do better, but it requires awareness and intentionality. Music and shows that entertain us, our homes and how we decorate, our clothes and cars and food- all are creativity that enhances our lives. It’s important to recognize art as skill, or rather, a set of skills. Most independent artists I know are incredibly hardworking and perform multiple tasks for the perpetuation of their craft. They don’t just create beautiful, thoughtful goods, they also run every aspect of their small businesses. Artists can help themselves and the creative ecosystem by not underpricing their work. Business owners who employ artists can pay a living wage, and those who sell art can purchase wholesale instead of offering consignment deals, which put artists at a serious disadvantage. Everyone can respect, protect, and compensate artists for their tangible works and intellectual property, promote artists on social media and elsewhere, and make it a priority to shop handmade and local.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I don’t believe there is such a thing as a “non-creative” human. This is so obvious in children, but somehow many of us lose that freedom or identity as we age. Creativity isn’t limited to the ability or desire to engage in the arts, it’s woven almost anonymously into the fiber of our days as scheduling, strategy, meal planning, relationships, problem solving, and more. To live an intentionally creative life is brave. It’s courageous to foster openness and curiosity, to try new things and think new thoughts. It takes audacity to make the art that burns in your body and is profoundly personal, knowing it may not be well received or appreciated in the outer world at large. But we are individually and collectively better for it. My favorite quote is this one by Howard Thurman-“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.melodiegrace.com
• Instagram: @melodiegrace
• Facebook: @melodiegracepottery

Image Credits
David Bean, Stacie Huckeba, me