Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Cloutier. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Julie, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Always having a side project is key for my wellbeing, my small business and my art. Although my work and ceramics business may seem to offer an overflow of creative opportunity, it’s far from it. When my work can’t give me the creative fulfillment I crave, I have to find it elsewhere. Which means I switch gears and find my creative outlet through other art mediums. Currently, that’s collage and film photography. Listening to my intuition plays a big part in staying curious. On a whim, I signed up for a dark room 101 course at our local junior college this semester and it’s been wonderful to introduce a new way of making to my otherwise rigorous routine. Allowing myself time to explore, fail and play is my medicine and without it, I get easily run down by the day-to-day stuff.
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?
My name is Julie Cloutier and I run a small ceramics business called Cloutier Ceramics. My clay work focuses on handheld sculptures, functional stoneware and everyday objects. Made entirely by hand from start to finish, I explore materiality, utility and intention. I investigates domestic rituals through play and draw upon my architectural background to inform my minimalist lines. In addition to my pottery core collection, I teach private lessons and offer a quarterly subscription called Cup Club focused on drinking vessels and Collector’s Club that offers domestic sculptures for the home. I recently launched Clayfulness, a free monthly substack newsletter exploring what it means to be a small business grounded in play!
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?
Wether you want to sell or make art, my advice is to be truthful to yourself and to know your values. Whatever you may want to pursue, create a list of what’s important and let that foundation guide you. My process has always valued playfulness, simplicity & rigor.
Playfulness is a critical part to my process and it’s who I am. Without play, there is no creativity. It’s important to not take oneself too seriously and to bring out the childness in myself. It makes everything better.
Simplicity carries through my work. That word may be overused, but it’s a major aspect of my ceramic offerings. Simple design, concise shapes, offering a small collection of pieces that last a lifetime. For me, less is always more.
My rigor and thoroughness comes from my architecture background where details matter. My work ethic and acuteness to the present informs how I operate day-to-day and I attribute those qualities to my first career.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
At the moment, I am burnt out on having to constantly “sell” my work. As a self-employed artist who runs a small business on her own, I have to wear all the hats; including marketing. Putting myself out there does not come naturally, but I need to set those insecurities aside. I go through moments of self-doubt, but my way of getting out of it, is putting my head down and working through it. It will pass.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cloutierceramics.com
- Instagram: @jgcloutier
- Other: Substack: https://clayfulness.substack.com/
Image Credits
Portrait image was taken by Rachelle Derouin. The rest of the images were taken by me, Julie Cloutier
