Meet Stephanie Foster | Ceramic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Foster and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
In the early stages of starting my business I really struggled with work life balance. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had this tendency to throw myself into projects and work on them with laser focus until I’ve completed them to their fullest extent. And while I’m grateful for the effect this had on cultivating a strong work ethic, I had to realize (yes, the hard way) that this approach to work was not only unsustainable, it was entirely in opposition to the reason I started my business in the first place. The truth is, I make pottery because I love it. No matter how many times I make a mug, it always feels like magic. The joy of seeing that little lump of clay transform into the first thing I reach for in the morning, that’s why I started my business. I wanted to create functional ceramics that support the enjoyment of the everyday, both for myself and for others. But how could I do that without a good sense of daily balance? In truth, I couldn’t and that forced me to really examine my priorities and what truly makes me feel the happiest and most fulfilled, even on regular, no-frills days. Contrary to prior tendencies, I came to realize how much I actually value simplicity over productivity, connection over perfection, and the space to be creative so I can produce work that I’m really proud of. I still love working hard but that work has to support, not detract from my health and wellbeing. If I spend my day taking care of my body, enjoying some quality time out in nature, making good progress on a project in my studio, and finishing it all with a good book or dinner with a friend, I consider that time very well spent.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create functional pottery that is handmade from start to finish and is inspired by my love of the mountains and their resident critters. Each piece is either thrown on the potter’s wheel or built from a slab of clay, and every design is carefully carved by hand using a process called sgraffito. I was drawn to this technique in particular because it gives me so much freedom to play, and it allows me to create pottery that feels genuine and personal to my style and interests.

My journey to ceramics was not easy or straightforward but it has been immensely rewarding and I wouldn’t have it any other way. While I did take a number of pottery classes as a kid and loved every minute of it, I never envisioned doing art professionally until I burned out pursuing a different, more “responsible” career path and realized how much I missed it. Since then, I’ve built my ceramics business from the ground up, making tons of mistakes but enjoying the learning process and feeling proud of the work I create because it feels so authentically me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First on my list would definitely be Red Rocks, either for a concert or a film. The joy of that place is so infectious when it’s full of people sharing the same experience. For a city day, we’d have a nice leisurely morning at the Denver Botanic Gardens, followed by a picnic at City Park and maybe a couple of exhibits at the Denver Art Museum. The rest of the time would be spent enjoying the area around Evergreen where I live. Downtown Evergreen is filled with fabulous restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and art galleries, and it always feels so good to support local. I know for sure we wouldn’t leave without sharing a ginormous cinnamon roll at the Muddy Buck Cafe, probably to treat ourselves after a hike up Bergen Peak or an hour of paddle boarding on Evergreen Lake.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to give so much credit to my parents for supporting me in every way you can imagine and for believing in my crazy dream to work as a ceramic artist. I also want to give a shoutout to the Shadow Mountain Gallery, a beautiful gallery that is owned and operated by local artists in the heart of downtown Evergreen, CO. They took a chance on me when I first started selling my work, and they continue to be a wonderful support system for me and other artists in the area.

Website: www.stephaniefosterceramics.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniefosterceramics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephaniefosterceramics