We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jessica VanNess. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jessica below.
Hi Jessica, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
In the words of Rick Rubin, “The universe never explains why,” a sentiment that perfectly encapsulates the quest to find one’s purpose. The mere mention of “passion and purpose” often triggers a sense of overwhelm, as if declaring a lifelong commitment to the universe, set in stone.
But here’s the thing—it’s far more fluid, adaptable, and ever-evolving. Imagine life as a perpetual dance, a constant state of change and growth. How could we confine ourselves to a single purpose, unchanging as we traverse the shifting landscapes of our existence? I see a statement of purpose as a snapshot, a reflection of where we stand at a given moment. And tomorrow, it might morph into something entirely new.
During our retreats, when we approach a “passion and purpose” exercise, I encourage embracing life’s ephemeral nature. Consider the boundless possibilities, the evolution of understanding over time, and express a purpose that serves as a vessel expansive enough to hold the myriad facets of your being. It’s acknowledging that our knowledge is limited to what we’ve experienced so far, and that our purpose is likely greater than our current understanding.
For me, purpose is a fluid entity, shifting, adapting, flowing. I welcome this ever-changing journey and accept the ebb and flow dictated by intuition. My purpose is to create—to foster community, to provide a safe space for connection, creativity, exploration, and healing; to curate experiences for myself and others; to nurture love and inspiration.
The roots of this purpose trace back to a profound moment of flow at the age of 8, surrounded by the blues at a festival in North Carolina. There, clay became my lifelong companion, guiding me along a path I hadn’t fully unraveled. Volunteering at summer camps and taking ceramics courses were steps in this journey.
As a teenager, I meandered into rebellion, navigating through a community entangled in drugs and crime. My family sent me on a “vision quest” aimed to wake me up, and though it didn’t halt my rebellious tendencies, it left a lasting impact. The experiences, concepts, and ideas planted during those impressionable years waited, flickering within me for the right moment to ignite.
Fast forward 25 years into my adult life, and a sequence of traumatic events forced me to confront life and death. My son became the anchor that grounded me. A year of intensive healing followed, delving into all sorts of therapeutic modalities, EMDR, life-coaching, meditation, exercise, altering my diet…I “worked” through them as if they were a checklist to feeling better, but it all felt cerebral.
Then came Covid, directing my focus back to ceramics. Intrigued by wild clay, I embarked on a solo adventure to Utah, learning from a primitive potter. Over those four days, she guided me through an ancient ceramic process. With each step, the internal struggles that had eluded my understanding seemed to cascade from my head to my soul, flowing through my hands into the clay and back to my soul. The synergy between the work I had been doing and the techniques taught was so profound that I felt compelled to document it. The pen danced across the pages of my journal, capturing what I was experiencing.
As the four days drew to a close, I found myself utterly transformed. The world appeared different, felt different—it was a profound shift. In that moment, a realization struck me like lightning—I had to share the healing power of what I had just experienced, what the clay was able to open up within me, the embodied healing I found through the experience, the incredible journey that had unfolded before me.
Hosting retreats, teaching the ceramics process, and weaving in the lessons from the healing journey, some might assume this is my purpose. However, I see it as a part of a larger creation—perhaps more retreats, a book, a course. What remains certain is my commitment to keeping my vessel large enough to manifest whatever unfolds and I see that as my true purpose.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the founder of Process Ceramics, a venture that intertwines my passion for ceramics with a deeper exploration of self-discovery and healing.
At Process Ceramics, I guide individuals through the art of working with wild clay, providing a platform where the creative process becomes a conduit for personal transformation. It’s not just about creating with clay; it’s about delving into the profound connections between a grounding and transformative ancient ceramic process and healing.
One of the most exciting developments on the horizon is the launch of an upcoming online course. This course is designed to bring the transformative power of working with clay directly to you, allowing participants to embark on their own journey of self-discovery from the comfort of their homes.
In addition to the online course, I’m thrilled to share that there are more retreats on the horizon. These retreats come in two flavors – smaller, intimate gatherings right here in Austin, and a more extensive, immersive retreat later in the year. The local events are crafted to provide a cozy and personalized experience, while the intensive retreat promises a deep dive into the intersection of creativity and personal growth.
What makes these retreats and courses special is the emphasis on the ephemeral nature of life and the boundless possibilities that lie within us. I believe in creating a space where participants can explore, create, and connect with their inner selves alongside an empowering community. It’s not just about creating ceramics; it’s about reconnecting with our authentic selves, our visions, our life, one piece at a time.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Reflecting on my journey, I attribute much of my success to my adventurous spirit, a genuine thirst for learning, an acknowledgement of my innate creativity, and the ability to adapt. To those at the early stages of their journey, I would offer a piece of advice: keep an open mind. Slow down and savor the moments unfolding before you, as opportunities often reveal themselves when we aren’t fixated on a specific solution or goal.
It’s crucial to navigate the influx of opinions and beliefs from others about what you should or shouldn’t do, what’s possible or impossible. Remember, everyone has their own path to walk, and while others may share their thoughts, those are reflections of their journey, not yours. Many times, people project their fears onto us, so resist the urge to accept anyone else’s narrative for your life. It took me until well into adulthood to let go of the narratives imposed by family and society. I realized that this is my life, and I have the freedom to live it on my terms, regardless of external expectations. As my time on this Earth is limited, I want to look back and know that I lived authentically, following my own path, rather than adhering to what others thought I should do.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Numerous books have been instrumental in shaping my perspective and influencing my journey. Among them, “Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking” by David Bayles and Ted Orland stands out as a fantastic read that left a lasting impact on me.
However, more recently, I had the pleasure of immersing myself in the wonderfully inspirational pages of “The Creative Act: A Way of Being” by Rick Rubin. Rubin’s perspectives resonate deeply with my own philosophy and life passion. The belief that creativity is an inherent part of each of us and that the creative process extends beyond art, contributing to a more fulfilling existence, aligns perfectly with my worldview. Creating art teaches us the essence of freedom, flow, presence, and what it means to truly feel alive.
A few of Rubin’s words of wisdom I was compelled to bookmark:
“The objective is not to learn and mimic greatness, but to calibrate our internal meter for greatness. So we can better make the thousands of choices that might ultimately lead to our own great work.”
“There’s a reason we are drawn to gazing at the ocean. It is said the ocean provides a closer reflection of who we are than any mirror.”
“Instead of focusing on what making this will bring you, focus on what you contribute to this art to make it the best it could possibly be, with no limitation.”
“It’s helpful to work as if the project you’re engaged in is bigger than you.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.processceramics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/process.ceramics/
Image Credits
The one photo of the black and white pot photo credit: Riley Banks, https://wokebeauty.com All other photos credit: Tania Espinosa, https://www.taniaespinosa.com
