We recently had the chance to connect with Fleur Reboul and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Fleur, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’m being called to create art that doesn’t need to be functional. For a long time, I’ve taken comfort in the purposefulness of functional ceramics — plates, cups, bowls — objects that fit neatly into daily life. But now, I feel a deep pull toward making work that is more raw, emotional, and undefined. Sculptures that exist for their own sake, not to serve, but to express.
It feels vulnerable to step away from what’s “useful,” and to instead make pieces that speak directly to my fears, contradictions, and inner world. I’m exploring that space — allowing myself to be uncomfortable, to not have all the answers, and to make from that place anyway. It’s a shift toward trusting my instincts more fully and letting art be a mirror, even when what it reflects isn’t easy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Fleur H.A.R. Reboul, the ceramicist behind FHAR Studio, my one-woman studio based in Santa Monica. I create handmade ceramic pieces where art and function meet—where the tactile and the poetic live in everyday moments. My journey to ceramics has been anything but linear, shaped by years of artistic exploration across continents and disciplines—from fine art to film props, from France to Los Angeles.
From Toulouse to Tinseltown via St. Louis
I was born and raised in the south of France, and earned a master’s degree in fine arts before working in the Paris film industry, where I built props and carved foam sculptures. In 2015, I moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where I stumbled into clay almost by accident. I took a few sculptural hand-building classes at Intersect Arts Center in 2019, and when the world shut down during the pandemic, I taught myself how to wheel-throw in my basement. I was down there every day, playing with mud—and I completely fell in love with the process.
A Name with Heart
I officially launched FHAR Studio in 2022 after moving to Los Angeles. The name “FHAR” is more than just my initials—it’s a tribute to my grandmothers, Huguette and Andrée, two strong, creative women who helped shape who I am. As a French immigrant living in L.A., my work reflects this dual cultural identity, with pieces that feel both grounded and whimsical.
Everyday Elegance & Playful Whimsy
Every piece I make starts with a lump of clay and goes through my hands—from throwing to trimming, glazing, and firing. I focus on functional forms like cups, bowls, and plates that elevate daily rituals. I truly believe that everyday objects can be art, and that the things we touch most often—our mugs, our dishes—should bring us joy and beauty.
Alongside my tableware, I also create small porcelain sculptures. These pieces, often inspired by nature and the surreal, let me explore playful ideas and tactile storytelling. My snail sculptures, for example, have become beloved little characters, some of which are now stocked at L.A.’s Craft Contemporary Shop.
Tools, Teaching & Sustainability
I also design and hand-forge my own pottery tools—solid brass ribs and wire cutters—that I sell through my website and Etsy. They’re not just beautiful to look at, but a joy to use. Sharing knowledge is important to me, which is why I offer private, one-on-one wheel-throwing classes in Santa Monica for anyone looking to get their hands in the mud.
Sustainability is a core value in my studio practice. I reclaim water, recycle clay and glazes, use secondhand equipment, and package orders using upcycled materials. I believe good design should also be thoughtful toward the planet.
Building Community
FHAR Studio has grown steadily, with over 700 Etsy sales and a loyal following of collectors and fellow makers. I’m grateful to participate in markets like AMP Fest, West Coast Craft, and others, where I can connect face-to-face with the creative community here in Los Angeles.
A Studio Rooted in Legacy and Intention
At its heart, FHAR Studio is about celebrating the beauty in the ordinary. It’s my homage to craft, to family, to the quiet power of making things by hand. Whether it’s a teacup or a snail sculpture, I want each piece to invite people to slow down, feel, and find joy in the everyday.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was a curious, sensitive, and imaginative child—always building, drawing, rearranging objects, inventing tiny worlds from scraps and textures. I was constantly creating without needing a reason. I didn’t worry about whether something was useful or impressive; I just followed my instincts. I was deeply connected to my senses—to touch, to form, to color. I could spend hours alone with clay, paper, or fabric, lost in quiet focus.
Before the world told me to be responsible, productive, or practical, I was simply a maker. I moved freely between play and purpose, between the whimsical and the beautiful. That’s still who I am, at the core—I’ve just had to work hard to reclaim her voice and trust her again.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
Recently, I changed my mind about the pressure to always make things that sell. For a long time, I shaped my studio practice around what was in demand—what would move quickly, what was “marketable.” But something shifted. In a world that often feels like it’s unraveling, I realized I don’t want my creative work to add to the noise or the pressure. I want it to be a breather—for me and for others.
Now, I’m more focused on making pieces that hold meaning for me. Work that reflects emotion, memory, curiosity—even fear. I still love making functional ceramics, but I’ve stopped chasing trends or production for its own sake. My studio is a space for slowness, for care, and for presence—and that feels more urgent and valuable than ever.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That clay is just mud—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful. It’s not important, not in the way society defines importance. Just like art, it’s “useless,” and I believe it should remain useless. In a world obsessed with productivity, profit, and efficiency, I think there’s something sacred about making things that exist for no reason other than to be.
Art doesn’t need to solve a problem or justify itself with function or value. Its very lack of utility is what makes it precious. That uselessness is freedom. It’s rebellion. And it’s necessary—especially now.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
I don’t think I’ll regret anything—because, in the grand scheme of things, none of it is that important. The work, the choices, even the mistakes—they’re just part of being here, trying things, making meaning for myself.
Most of what we worry about will be forgotten. So I try to let go of the pressure to get it all right. I make what I need to make, and I live as honestly as I can. That feels like enough.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fharstudio.com
- Instagram: @fhar.studio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fleurreboul
Image Credits
F Reboul
