Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Storer.
Hi Caroline, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always knew growing up that I wanted to do something creative for a living but I didn’t know what. We had been living in England as my father was stationed in the USAF but had to return stateside for my Grandparents. My parents settled in Clarksville as they wanted to be close to the military life and close to Nashville for everything it had to offer. I came with them and attended Austin Peay. The art and design program was intimate and supportive and I thrived and fell in love with Graphic Design and Illustration.
Following on from that I had a few jobs working in Graphic Design, Print production and Photography in Tennessee and Alabama. In 2006 I then had the opportunity to work as a Graphic Designer/Photographer for a military contractor in Kuwait. I loved that job. Every day was different and I got to have many adventures, meet lots of great people and travel a lot. I also met my husband who was teaching in a British school. When my contract finished, the school asked me to come teach art and design at the school to their secondary school students. I gained my teaching qualification and by learning how to teach art I fell back in love with fine art and illustration. I loved seeing the children find their own creative paths and really enjoyed dabbling in so many creative outlets at once.
After 11 years in Kuwait, my husband and I decided to start a family and move to Scotland where we both had family connections and loved the country so much. We happily raised our two boys in the most perfect landscape and then COVID happened. In the middle of the first lockdown I found out I had Breast Cancer. Unable to go out and have friends and family near to support me, I was gifted a pottery wheel and taught myself how to throw. I found it extremely therapeutic through my chemo and radiation and through the help of YouTube and other artist inspiration, taught myself everything I could about ceramics.
Now I am 6 years cancer free and working full time as a ceramicist. I work with stoneware clay and commercial glazes and try to bring joy and smiles to people with my pottery. I hand sculpt animals (many which are inspired by the Scottish wildlife) and attach them to my wheel thrown lidded pots. I am a member of the Perthshire Artisans and Scottish Potters Association and part of the UNESCO City of Craft and Folk Art. I show my work in galleries, exhibitions, and gift shops. Every year I visit my parents and brother who now live in Bowling Green, KY and always visit Nashville’s Mid South Ceramics to stock up on glazes and tools!
In between all that, I have also illustrated 2 children’s books. ‘Thomas the Polar Bear’ by Alisha Harland and ‘Nanna’s Funny Socks’ by Louise Avery.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not smooth at all but each change led me to where I am today
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a British-American ceramicist and illustrator whose life and work have been shaped by my time spent living and working in Europe, the United States, and the Middle East. Ultimately, the pull of Scotland’s natural beauty and wildlife led me to settle in Perthshire, Scotland. I use my background in illustration to create clay versions of Scottish wildlife to create decorative knobs or hand built additions to my pottery. I primarily work with stoneware clay and commercial glazes and like all my pieces to have a wee surprise. Whether this is in the form of my sculpted animals, a hidden swirl or a surprising glaze combination, I want to bring joy to people when they look at my pieces.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
My internationalism and journey through a variety of creative careers
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.carolinestorer.com
- Instagram: HTTPS://www.instagram.com/carolinestorerdesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinestorerdesign
