Meet Melodie Grace

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melodie Grace. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The first time I used a pottery wheel I was 9 years old. My elementary school art teacher recognized I was a burgeoning artist and gave me a couple after school lessons on her wheel. I had a knack for it right off the bat, and have thought of myself as a potter ever since. I didn’t get a lot of opportunities to work with clay early on, but took a class in high school, then a couple semesters in college, which is where I learned about raku. Raku is a Japanese pit firing technique that has become a signature part of my work. In my late 20’s a dear friend gifted me a pottery class and that’s when the obsession really kicked in. At age 31, after a decade in corporate sales, I decided to try my hand as a full-time ceramic artist. I began traveling to sell my work at art shows across the country and kept at it full-time for ten years. I currently work full time as the office manager of an advertising agency, and just recently bought a home where I’ve set up a pottery studio in my basement. It’s fantastic to be able to walk down my stairs to create! I travel less these days but am happily selling online and through small shops and galleries. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As an artistic entrepreneur, I’ve encountered many challenges along the way. I quickly learned working full-time hours doesn’t always equate to making a full-time income. Art shows and exhibits are unpredictable and I can have an amazing show one weekend followed by an abysmal one the next. Every single detail of both my art and business is my responsibility, and this can feel daunting at times. I am great at making pottery, but not so great at other tasks, like building a website or designing packaging. I’ve had to figure out how to maintain high quality on a low budget, and have been fortunate to have many friends generously fill my deficits with their time and talents. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I love everything about pottery and dabble in many styles and techniques, but I specialize in raku, an ancient Japanese pit firing method. I work in both traditional and naked raku and enjoy every aspect of the firing process. Smoke and flame create unpredictable variation in the finished pieces, so there’s always an element of surprise. Raku is unique in that it is an intimate firing process and I am directly involved in each and every step. I build my small kiln each time I fire, I mix my own glazes, and I nurture a piece through the fire. Even with all that time and attention, the way a piece turns out is always a surprise. The process is just as important to me as the finished product. I love the juxtaposition of clean lines and crisp details, with raw, rustic unpredictable process. It is exciting to be doing something new with such an ancient technique. 

In addition to being juried into prestigious shows and winning several awards, in 2016 I was approached by west elm about designing a collaborative line of pottery. When I first opened the email, I thought it was spam, because I couldn’t believe the president of west elm would actually be reaching out to me. I’ve never been so glad to be wrong! That was an amazing experience and a highlight of my art career so far. 

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I am a huge fan of the podcast: How I Built This with Guy Raz. It’s inspiring to hear the stories of some of the world’s best-known companies, straight from the creators themselves. I subscribe to Masterclass so I can learn from professionals in a variety of fields. I’m a voracious reader and could never choose a favorite book, but I’m particularly fond of authors C.S. Lewis, Tim Sanders, Daniel Pink, and Brene Brown. I would highly recommend theinstaclass.co by Eduardo Morales for anyone wanting to better utilize Instagram. The following quote sums up everything for me: 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. ~Howard Thurman 

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.melodiegrace.com
• Instagram: @melodiegrace
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelodieGracePottery
• Twitter: @melodiegrace
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRHWOf2RBzDAx1u8ozA60LQ

Image Credits
Stacie Huckeba
David Bean