Daily Inspiration: Meet Katie Lehn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Lehn

Hi Katie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I enjoyed a creative childhood with the help of arts and crafts projects lead by my mom. Whether it was polymer clay animals, or teaching us to sew she always knew how to keep my sister and me busy. My first real commitment to artistic expression was through Ballet. I trained rigorously from six years old to 18 years old. Thinking back on that now, it makes sense that I’ve found myself in a three dimensional art space again. Both arts require an appreciation of form and a connection to kinesthetics. I went into college undecided and ended up graduating with a degree in nutritional sciences with a minor in chemistry. At the time, it felt like my passion. I loved food, cooking, and connecting with people. After college, I completed my dietetic internship and became a registered dietitian. I worked in a variety of settings within the field before coming to what felt like my “dream job” as an integrative and functional nutrition counselor in a private practice.

In 2015, I signed up for a pottery class at the Tucson Clay Co-Op and quickly realized how much I needed a creative outlet. Working on the pottery wheel brought more awareness to my mental state and became a form of fluid stress relief. This community-run studio began to feel like home and a place I spent many joy-filled hours over the next three years. Upon moving to Austin, Texas in 2018 I knew I wanted to continue my relationship with clay. Leading up to my move I had also begun to feel disconnected from my career in nutrition and decided to use the move as an opportunity to step back and reassess. A few months after arriving in Austin I was honored to receive a position at Dougherty Arts Center as an Emerging Artist Resident. This work-trade residency included access to studio space, equipment, and mentorship from skilled artists and teachers. I was in a dream world. The program provided a designated time for me to discover myself as an artist. It felt like the universe was giving me an opportunity that I had to take advantage of. With the support of my partner, I decided to dive into pottery full force. About a year into my residency I participated in my first art exhibition and launched my online shop a month later. I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary and couldn’t be more amazed at how much has happened within the last few years.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Deciding to quit a job that I’d spent five years of education to obtain makes you question your decisions. Walking away from a comfortable salary with benefits and health insurance was beyond nerve-racking. You can imagine not many people take you seriously when you say you’re going to try and make pottery for a living. But I’m grateful to have found a partner who encouraged me to take the risk and a family that has been nothing but supportive. Pottery is a fickle art with a lot of opportunity for error. Whether a handle cracks off a mug or a piece explodes in the kiln, there are always new curveballs coming your way. Working with clay has given me ample lessons on how to ride the wave. My boyfriend and both I moved to Austin without jobs. I suppose you could say we’re risk-takers. I was itching to get my hands back in clay and had a hard time finding affordable studio space. The big town prices were a shock coming from my humble community studio in Tucson. It felt rather defeating. So you can imagine how grateful I was for the opportunity at Dougherty Arts Center. I’ll be honest, I had no idea the amount of work that went into starting a business. The last year has been exhausting and at times truly overwhelming. The pressure can be paralyzing at times. Many days I struggle with motivation but have learned to be more compassionate to myself while I learn and work through challenges. Working with clay brings me joy and I’m so grateful I have the opportunity to do it on a daily basis.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Being raised on a mesa bordering Arizona and Utah with sandstone earth rich in waves of color, I’ve had my hands deep in dirt all my life. I’ve found my designs mirror the contrasting hues and textures from my desert roots: sand and sage, sandstone walls and glistening water, desert wildflowers and cacti skin, burning sun and turquoise stones. I’m inspired by the fluid feel of canyon walls, layered earth, precious stones, and the subtle tones of the desert. The majority of my work begins on the potter’s wheel. I also enjoy playing with textures and carving into the clay after it’s dried just a bit. Exploration is my favorite part of the process, so I find my designs are constantly evolving. Many of my favorite collections were the result of a happy accident created when I was “in the flow.” One of my known designs is a mountain moonrise mug. This piece is hand thrown on the wheel and carved to add the texture of the mountains. The mountains are left raw, without glaze which gives it a rough natural texture next to the smooth and shiny gloss of the moon and sky. I had dreamed about this design for a long time and was thrilled to see it to fruition. It’s become one of my staple pieces and I’ve enjoyed playing with different variations and skyscapes along the way.

How do you think about luck?
I’m a small and slowly growing business and I feel I’ve been fortunate along the way. Considering I launched my online store in the midst of a pandemic I feel lucky to still be operating today and I’m extremely grateful for the support I’ve received.

Contact Info:

• Email: hello@katieannclay.com
• Website: www.katieannclay.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieannclay/