We are so excited to get the "behind the scenes" of your Portland studio. What was your main source of inspiration for designing your studio? 

It would be a dream to have my own studio (one day!) but for the time being I work in a community space. It’s only a ten minute walk from where I live- which feels essential! Sometimes you just need to swing by for a few minutes to check on a drying piece or the kiln temp… so having it nearby was the most important factor for choosing my studio. There is also ample storage space- which can be tricky to find in a community studio and is a hugely important factor as well. 

Thalia No. 2 Jenny Rice Shop now >

Thalia No. 4 Jenny Rice Shop now >

What does a day in your studio look like?

I always have a plan before arriving- my time is dedicated to either glazing or building with clay. When first arriving I check on work that is drying- just to make sure everything is going smoothly. I set up my tools and workspace, put on my headphones and hop to it. I work on multiple pieces at once. A little here and a little there- there’s a rhythm to find making sure each form is at the right stage before adding more clay to the piece. 

Do you have any studio must haves? A podcast? Playlist? Snacks? 

Podcasts, playlists, all of it! I’m also a big fan of audiobooks, especially when I’m doing tedious work like applying dots to my surfaces (I get through a lot of them!) For snacks, it’s always nice to have an apple on hand. It’s my go to, not too distracting and always manages to hold me over. I time my break when the pieces I’m building need a bit more time to harden up- if the weather is nice I like to go outside and eat my apple in the sun. 

Portland has such a vibrant arts community. How has living and working there influenced your ceramic practice? 

I can’t imagine my practice blooming like it has without the Portland community. There are truly so many opportunities for artists here- the community is eager to show up and there is incredible talent.  Specifically, when I was first getting back into ceramics after many years without, it was the eye of a local shop owner at Una (a most unique and special environment to experience!) that gave me the confidence to pursue my ceramics practice in a more significant way. 

How would you describe your artistic style in a few words?

Spontaneous, intuitive, imperfect.

Thalia No. 8 Jenny Rice Shop now >

Thalia No. 9 Jenny Rice Shop now >

You mention having to "find clay again after many years of going without." What led you away from ceramics initially, and what brought you back to the medium? 

I got my BFA and after graduating was focused on saving money to live abroad. When I got home I took a job working in visual management for a large corporation- which seemed to check all the boxes! I got to be creative and also had traditional perks like benefits and retirement. Ultimately, it was too difficult to align my values and I was very conflicted. A decade passed- poof! And when I was laid off during covid, I started spending more time with clay again. I suddenly felt whole! I hadn’t realized just how important my ceramics practice was for me. I still can’t believe I had the opportunity to make such a big shift in my life. I’m grateful everyday.

You describe the creative process as "full of delight and surprise." Can you tell us about a recent piece that particularly surprised you as it emerged? 

I don’t sketch or plan the forms so each one really is a surprise in the end. The best part of my process is seeing how they emerge. Factors like gravity, temperature, humidity, time of year … all play a role in how the clay responds. Sometimes when I’m building, a weird bulge or posture will present itself and it can start to feel a bit “off”. I’ve learned to lean into that though- they often turn out to be my favorite pieces.

Thalia No. 11 Jenny Rice Shop now >

Thalia No. 12 Jenny Rice Shop now >

Your pieces have such a signature and quality look to them. Besides ceramics, what other materials are you curious about bringing into your studio?

I’m really drawn to beautiful paper. I have a substantial collection of it that I’ve been accumulating for my whole life it seems! I love making and gifting stationary as gifts, and I’ve played around with marbling over the past several years. That process is so satisfying and I would love to devote more time to it! Ultimately, paper has always been a source of creativity for me, even when I wasn’t prioritizing ceramics. 

What are your favorite inspirations you find in the natural, everyday world that really transform your art? 

I’m often inspired by patterns and textures found in nature, especially from the sea. I enjoy diving and every time I’ve had the opportunity to do so, clay inevitably crosses my mind. I’m also constantly being inspired by interesting spaces, beautiful interiors, or just being in new places. Sometimes it can be a random object! I found a vintage book recently with beautiful photographs of antique Chinese snuff bottles. The patterns and color combinations are so striking and unique. Honestly, it often just feels like inspiration comes from everywhere!  

SHOP JENNY RICE