Meet Jacquie Harro | Artist and Counselor

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

Hi Jacquie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have been an entrepreneur ever since I was a child running a slew of small businesses around the neighborhood. I had many interests growing up, but none was more persistent than art. I gravitated toward art classes, beginning with drawing and painting. I had an easel in my bedroom and would stay up painting late into the night. Despite this long-standing passion, I carried the belief that art could not be a career. In college, I developed an interest in psychology. I completed my master’s degree in Counseling Psychology in June 2020 and began my own therapy practice, Rocky Mountain Relationships, amidst the pandemic.

In my work as a therapist, I have blended my artistic background to help people express what cannot be expressed in words. I am able to pull in knowledge from different creative fields and combine it with my background in the human experience. In my art, I bring people together to enjoy creating art as a community. I developed art groups for kids and teens where we focus not only on art education but also on building a strong social foundation. I believe that there is much joy to be had in connecting with other people through art, and I hope to spread that joy whenever possible.

Starting my own business empowered me to follow a variety of opportunities while balancing them in a way that supported my exploration. In October of 2021, I began working as a production assistant for Hammerly Ceramics, a local art studio specializing in functional pottery made with modern technology. Through my work with Hammerly Ceramics, I have joined a community of artists who support and encourage one another. I have grown in my own pottery skills and developed as both an artist and business owner. Working for a production pottery studio also allowed me to challenge the idea that art could not be a career. I have met many amazingly talented artists making art their livelihood in a variety of ways. A blend of artistic and therapeutic endeavors has created a life of balance for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It wasn’t until college that I really touched clay, but once I did, it was all I wanted to do. I was drawn to pottery for its ability to be a piece of art while also serving a practical purpose. These days my obsession is raku. Raku is an exciting pottery process wherein pieces are taken from the kiln while still red hot and plunged into combustion materials, causing them to ignite. The fire creates a smoky atmosphere that interacts with the clay and glazes to create striking colors and dynamic effects. Many factors come together to determine an outcome, making the piece a sort of time capsule capturing the moments of its creation. The unpredictable nature of the process also means that no two pieces are ever the same.

I have more recently been exploring ways to create pottery at home, which led me to discover microwave raku. The pottery is fired using a special kiln that is heated up in a microwave. This unique kiln puts a size limitation on my work, as each piece can only be a few inches tall. As a result, I have been having a blast miniaturizing my pottery. You can follow along with my raku experiments on social media @rockymountainmud.

Along the way in my artistic journey, it has been important for me to redefine how I think about success. My relationship with art has waxed and waned from a hobby to an income source. At each stage, art was a present force in my life and I have been fortunate to find ways to continue to expand my engagement. Ultimately, finding a place of balance has been key in developing my relationship with my art and opening up my life to have the space to explore.

While my path hasn’t always been clear, a few common themes persisted: people and pottery. I plan to continue developing art groups for kids and teens, in order to combine all of my passions. I am excited to grow my skills to someday be able to teach workshops and bring the pottery experience to everyone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have been continually impressed with the vibrant art scene in Arvada. Just outside of Denver hides a bustling art community at the base of the Rockies. To anyone visiting, I recommend catching a show or checking out the galleries at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. With classes, exhibitions, and performance spaces, it provides an unbeatable gateway to all kinds of art.

I also love Arvada for its quaint Olde Town. A collection of charming shops and restaurants, Olde Town Arvada is a great place to spend time and catch a bite to eat. Olde Town also hosts a variety of art markets and live music, making it another way to engage with the local art scene. There are some tasty restaurants, and I always make sure to stop in at the candy and ice cream shop, Scrumptious, for my nostalgic candy fix.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have been extremely fortunate to have some wonderful mentors who have helped me along in my journey. Dr. Beth Peters of Dandelion Psychology has guided me in starting a therapy practice and has been an invaluable partner in my growth as a clinician. I have also had the blessing of many amazing art teachers over the course of my life that helped inspire a love of creativity. I am so grateful to my pottery community who are constantly supporting me and challenging me to expand my skills.

Website: https://www.rmrelationships.com/

Instagram: rockymountainmud

Image Credits
Emily Deleff