We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mercedes Munoz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mercedes below.

Mercedes, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How has Covid changed your business model?

Prior to the pandemic I exhibited my artwork regularly throughout my community here in Juneau, Alaska. I had gained a following of local pottery lovers who supported me and collected my work. In March of 2020 I was 9 months pregnant with my second child, and I had a local exhibit that I’d been working all year on taken down at a moment’s notice. As we all began to isolate it became very apparent how impossible it would be for artists like myself to maintain any sort of normalcy in their career, or have their career survive at all.

Now more than ever as a young mother of two I needed this piece of myself to feel whole. Creating art is a huge part of my identity that I would be lost without.

I had always wanted to start a website, but never got around to it. Stuck at home, this was my time. I built a website, started putting myself out there on social media consistently, and launched my first collection virtually. It sold out within minutes, and demand for my art continued to boom over the next few years. My following has grown cumulatively to over 50K between platforms, and my online and in-person shows continue to sell quicker than I can create.

It’s interesting to look back and know now that I wouldn’t be where I am today without that push to take a leap of faith and try something new.

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 am a ceramic and illustration artist from Juneau Alaska. I create wheel-thrown and hand-built porcelain forms intended for everyday life. Inspired by the relationship between function and art, I am drawing to fostering that relationship for people through pottery. My pieces are adorned with colorful and playful imagery inspired by my beautiful home of Alaska, and simple things in my own life that spark joy. My favorite type of piece to use and make is a mug.

I’ve been mentored throughout my life by my grandmother, Rie Munoz. She was a beloved Alaskan artist who is no longer living, but had a full life of art and continues to inspire me. She would always encourage me to ONLY make what brings me joy. This was a practice she followed herself. When you aren’t thinking about what other people want, but instead only what your truly want to create, that’s when the magic happens. People can in turn see and feel that passion in your artwork, and I think this is something that brings people close to my pottery pieces.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To be able to work in my beautiful studio, creating art that makes me happy, with my dogs by my side is my dream. To be able to create work that I love, and that is embraced and loved by my community is an incredible honor. To be able to call this my job, my career, and to be able to make a living throwing mud is the greatest gift I could ask for. I have goals of bigger kilns, and expanding to be able to ship internationally, but really I am just so thankful to be where I am and I hope to be able to maintain this path.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Artist podcasts are incredibly helpful. I love “Do it for the Process” and “Windowsill Chats”. It’s like hearing advice from a pro while you’re puttering in the studio. You never know what ideas will come from listening but it’s always leaves me feeling inspired and like I can accomplish so much.

Contact Info:

• Website: mercedesmunozceramics.com
• Instagram: @mercedesmunozart
• Facebook: Mercedes Munoz Ceramics + Illustration
• Youtube: @mercedesmunozceramics4049
• Other: Tiktok: @mercedesmunozart

Image Credits
Sydney Akagi Photography