Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucy Michel.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve always been an artist in some capacity. I had taken photos my entire life, I even had a dark room in my house growing up, so I went to Parsons School for Design and got my BA in photography. However, when photography became so digital, I lost my love for it. I like producing in an analog way. It’s very meditative for me. It’s the only thing in my life that totally turns my mind off.
After college, I started a career in the jewelry industry. First, in production and then, in design. That was around the time of the “celebrity jewelry line”, so most of my jobs were ghost designing. It was an amazing experience, but again, I started to crave something sustainable, something more my own, and something I could make with my hands.
I took a ceramics class 6 years ago and never looked back. Every day. I’m stoked to get up and go to the studio.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wouldn’t say it’s been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change how it went down. Honestly, the biggest advice I can give someone who is trying to make a career out of their art is getting a day job until it starts to generate enough income. Financial pressure is the death of creativity. I remember being so stressed trying to make things I thought people would want and scrapping my finances together and it was super hard and stressful.
So, I took a day job at an amazing shop, run by incredible women, who supported me and my vision and it freed me up completely. The removal of that pressure made all the difference.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Lucy Michel – what should we know?
I describe my work as Modern Californian. I’m born and raised in Los Angeles, I grew up near Santa Monica so the California vibes are so ingrained in me. I feel very connected to this land, from the beach to the desert, to the mountains. It all inspires my work. The shapes of my pieces are modern, but the glazes and clay I use are earthy and simple.
I also really like that my work is functional. I like that my art is accessible.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
I would tell myself to stop making what you THINK people want. I second I started making what I liked and what I wanted and stopped worrying about where the work would end up, things started happening.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lucymichel.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @lucymichel
Image Credit:
Ashley Randall
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