We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Misty Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Misty thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

One of the most impactful lessons my father taught me was the importance of taking chances. He always said that sometimes they work out, and sometimes they don’t—but you’ll never know unless you try. That mindset has shaped the way I approach opportunities and challenges in both life and my career.

When I was young, my father was in the military. After serving, he went to school at Christopher Newport College and earned a business degree. He then worked as a salesman at Circuit City, but on weekends and his days off, he and a friend started a landscaping business. He had dreams of working for himself, but like many people, he wasn’t sure when—or if—it was the right time to take the leap.

That moment came unexpectedly. While working a landscaping job, he accidentally broke a window at a prominent client’s business park. The client called and told him to be in his office at 9 AM to discuss it. The problem? My dad had a mandatory sales meeting at the same time. When he explained that he couldn’t miss the meeting, the client told him, “You need to decide whether you want to be a salesman or a business owner. I hope you make the right choice.”

My dad took the chance. He went to the meeting—and instead of a reprimand, the client gave him a property contract large enough to allow him to quit his job and support our family. That opportunity was the start of a business that he successfully ran for over 30 years.

Watching him take that leap—and seeing the reward that came from his risk—taught me to believe in myself, even when the future feels uncertain. It showed me that calculated risks, guided by values and work ethic, can lead to incredible growth. That perspective has been a driving force in my own decisions, helping me stay open to new possibilities and brave enough to pursue them.

Misty, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve always been drawn to the arts — it’s where I find peace, expression, and purpose — but like many creative people, I initially chose a more practical career path. I became a Registered Nurse in 2013 and worked across the country, from Virginia to Alaska and eventually back home to North Carolina. Nursing gave me invaluable life experience, but it also came with intense stress and emotional challenges. Throughout those years, art was my sanctuary — a way to decompress, process, and reconnect with myself.

In 2023, I took my first pottery class with a few coworkers, and I was instantly captivated. After that initial eight-week course, I began taking multiple classes each week to refine my skills. Pottery became more than a hobby; it became a calling. Along the way, I’ve had the privilege of learning from talented mentors — Mandy and Freddie Huffman of The Porch Potters, Paula Rogalski of Whiteside Studio, and my first instructor, Amanda of Ceramic Sorcery — all of whom shaped my journey and encouraged me to trust my creative instincts.

One conversation with Mandy Huffman changed my path entirely. She told me that at some point, I would have to choose between being a nurse and being a full-time artist because nursing was draining the creative energy I needed to grow. Her words, along with my father’s own story of taking a leap of faith, resonated deeply. In June 2025, I decided to follow that advice and dedicate myself fully to my creative practice, founding Misty Mountain Studio and focusing on my art full-time.

My work is primarily hand-built ceramics inspired by the mystical and whimsical — fairies, witches, mushrooms, and luminaries that glow and bring light to everyday spaces. I’m also a Certified Zentangle Instructor, and I love integrating meditative, pattern-based design into both my pottery and the classes I teach. My work reflects my bohemian spirit and eclectic outlook, blending organic shapes with a sense of magic and storytelling.

What sets Misty Mountain Studio apart is its heart. Every piece is made with intention — to bring light, grounding, and a touch of wonder into someone’s life. I’m proud to have built a practice that not only fulfills me creatively but also connects with others on an emotional level. Ultimately, I want people to know that my art is about more than clay and glaze — it’s about finding beauty in imperfection, peace in the process, and joy in the handmade.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I think one of the hardest things for non-creatives to understand is how someone can walk away from a full-time job with a guaranteed income to pursue something as uncertain as an artistic career. From the outside, it can look risky or even irresponsible — especially when your livelihood depends on how others perceive the value of your work and whether the economy allows for spending on art at all.

The truth is, many people see art as a luxury or a frivolous expense, rather than something essential to human experience. But I believe that something created by hand — something that brings joy, peace, or reflection every time you look at it — carries a value that goes far beyond money. Art sustains us in ways that can’t be measured on a paycheck.

That said, choosing this path doesn’t mean I feel entirely comfortable with the uncertainty. I still have moments of doubt and fear. But I’ve learned to trust the process — to have patience, to persevere, to live simply and use my resources wisely, and to stay diligent about sharing my work and growing my brand. I believe that through hard work and authenticity, I can build a life as successful and meaningful as the one I had as a nurse — maybe even more so, because this path allows me to pour my energy into something that truly fills my spirit.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is witnessing the way people connect with my work. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone walk into my booth or stop at my display and instantly light up at something I’ve created. Sometimes a piece sparks pure joy, other times it stirs nostalgia — a memory of a loved one or a moment from childhood. Watching those emotions surface, seeing someone reminded of how magical the world can be, makes all the uncertainty and self-doubt fade away, even if just for a moment. Those moments remind me why I chose this path.

Teaching brings me that same fulfillment. When I teach Zentangle, and my students tell me they’ve started using it as a daily ritual — taking fifteen minutes to quiet their minds, find peace, and express themselves — it’s incredibly rewarding. Many of them start out thinking they could never be artists, that they can’t even draw a straight line. Then they surprise themselves with what they’re capable of creating. Seeing that transformation, that spark of confidence and calm, is just as meaningful to me as selling a piece of art.

Those moments — both in the studio and in the classroom — make every challenge worth it. The joy, connection, and shared humanity that come through art are far more rewarding than any paycheck could ever be.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misty_mountain_studio?igsh=MXdzazE5aTgwZDltYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BEPNmGAFG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Rosco Spears