Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Grimm. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michelle, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
As a ceramic artist I fail all the time but it’s my love for the process of creating and curiosity that always keeps me going. Things blow up, break in the kiln or crack due to changes in the environment after so many hours of work, but you acknowledge it and learn to move on. And move on quickly, the quicker the better!
I am constantly having to test studio materials or reformulate glaze chemistry because resources are becoming increasingly rare, too expensive or unavailable. Every time there is a change or substitute, the chemistry is different so you test, reformulate and try again. It can be an exciting process with lots of ups and downs . Sometime these tests are initially perceived as failures, because you are measuring against an intended expectation but often, you realize that in failing, you’ve actually created something new and specular.
Resiliency is such a big and necessary part of being both an artist and a business owner. Difficulties can offer us an opportunity to try something new, learn from mistakes or even confront vulnerabilities to help us grow and learn. Failure can even produce innovation, wonderful discoveries and even present moments of humor and joy.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a multi-disciplinary artist and designer currently working with clay as my primary medium. For the past few years, I have been exploring atmospheric firing techniques like raku, horse hair, saggar pit firing, soda firing and wood firing. My ceramics are minimal in form and often left unglazed to allow ash, smoke/carbon, salt or other organic materials from the firing process to add color and texture to the pieces I create. Using these specific firing methods allows for an unpredictable alchemy between earth, artist and fire acting together to create each piece’s unique personality. My work invites us to celebrate the element of chance, accepting and embracing that which we cannot completely control.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Cultivate persistence, resilience and patience. Things don’t have to be perfect when you are starting out. Go with the flow where you can but most importantly, just keep going. Its not easy, don’t be afraid to ask for help and acknowledge that there will always be things that you don’t know, and even more things that you don’t know that you don’t know! Its all a part of the journey.
Always listen to your instinct. If something feels wrong, it probably is, Just trust that the right people, things and opportunities will find you.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
I love the book “Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koran. Reading this really changed my relationship with perfectionism, beauty, and impermanence.
As a maker of objects, this book taught me to think about objects in new ways. They are on their own journey through life, just as we are and I have started implementing some of these ideas in my ceramics practice. Everything is always evolving towards or away from nothing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michellegrimmceramics.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_mgrimm/
Image Credits
All Photos by Jarusha Brown
