We recently connected with Thayer Gowdy and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Thayer thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have been a full time creative my whole life, when the pandemic happened photography came to a halt since I photograph people. I have always been enamored with ceramics but never tried it, I was obsessed with photography and focused on that both artistically and professionally. I yearned to work with my hands and found ceramics akin to darkroom days.

One afternoon Meave (chef from Rory’s Place) a friend of mine asked if I wanted to come over and make some stoneware slab plates for the restaurant. It was the first pottery piece I ever made and I was hooked. I then dove in and was taking classes, working one on one with Master Potters, traveling to England for intensives with Leach Pottery and joining Thread Caravan to learn about Mexican clay in Oaxaca.

Soon I got my own wheel, my own kiln, slab roller and ceramic printer. While I am not making a living full time as a potter I hope to one day. As I refine and learn, and build up my clientele. I am grateful to live in Ojai where creativity is embraced and we have a vibrant community that supports artists.

I don’t think I could have sped up the process any faster than I did! I would sit at the wheel for 8-10 hours a day throwing the same shape over and over until I mastered it. I don’t think it’s about speed as it is about dedication and passion; as with any craft.

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

I started out in photography and moved into ceramics and home design. I have a deep love of home, and have done both renovating for myself and others, residential and commercial spaces. Creating home goods feels like something that was a natural progression for me.

I work in stoneware and mostly functional wares though I enjoy sculptural and decorative wares for the home. From terracotta hanging lights for Windrose Farms x Finca Los Agaves farm shop to spiked dark clay mugs for Mug Club at the Alamo Motel bar.

Every few months I have a sale at my Rancho Wilder home and studio in Meiners Oaks, and enjoy meeting folks, talking creatively and sharing my wares vs wholesale to shops. I love the personal connection and creative connection.

I share my pots locally, across the country and my online shop. I often work with interior clients, hotels and restaurants.

My work is inspired by my love of Mexico, Italy + Portugal. I created a line of Ojai Toile pattern for ceramics in collaboration with Sharon Aris in England, a friend who is a textile + fashion designer. Depicting Topa Topa Mountains, rattlesnakes + owls. Rattlesnake tea cups to patterned plates.

I adored my commission with Ojai chef Chase Elder for low platters and serving dishes with half moon handles inspired by Mexican potters. I am looking forward to creating more half moon wares.

I am a partner with my family in Vermont for our ritual flower farm, I recently created a stash jar for flower that I love right now, large flat top and fluted sides, in whatever clay I am feeling that day. The Ojai jar.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Peace, fulfillment, community, collaboration and growth. Being a creative, the learning and expansion never ends. There is no end point. There is only process. I need to create. I must be making things and I find deep satisfaction in sharing my craft with others, the enjoyment others receive from interacting with my craft gives me great joy.

Being an artist is a way of life and the deep peace and happiness I find in not only creating but creatively thinking and interacting with others is for me the meaning of life and its deepest reward.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I am currently creating a workshop with my friend Stephanie Helguera in Ojai called the Golden Thread. We hope to guide and explore creative wellness.

I have been thinking alot lately about a space for artists, ceramacists to come and learn or create in Portugal or Italy. I would like to offer creative retreats and wellness. I love to travel and learn, and feel others might enjoy that as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wilderpottery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewilderpottery/
• Other: other websites to share:https://wearewilderdesign.com/
  https://www.instagram.com/thayergowdy/