Meet Jesse Golden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Golden.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jesse. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m from the Boston area having moved to LA five years ago. I had done pottery in high school and a little in college but had lost touch with the craft. I moved for a corporate position but had the mindset to explore the LA art scene. I would walk into galleries and studios and ask curators, ‘How do I bust into the LA art scene?”. They would laugh and tell me to put my email down and keep exploring.

In 2015, I had a drive to start creating and bought my own pottery wheel. If I had a vision to make a piece I would work at it understanding it wouldn’t be until my 10th attempt the shape would take form. I created an Etsy store to legitimize my business and began selling my creations.

In 2017, I walked into a studio called GooDirtLA (West Side) who offered me a pottery teaching position. Ever since I have been working two jobs while taking on larger and larger projects and commission work. I love being a creator and I love helping others explore their artistic abilities.

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?
Ceramics is a humbling craft. Your creations will break at every step of the process. The idea is to never break two pieces the same way, and learn from your mistakes. I was working on a candle order for a store in Highland Park and ended up making the wicks too thin and the flame burn to small. DEVESTATING.

Luckily the store was awesome and turn the vessels into planters. I took these learning to my next commission project and knocked it out of the park.

Jesse Golden Ceramics – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I produce functional and non-functional ceramics. If you look at a ball of clay you can make anything your imagination can think up. I am a maker and love taking on fun and challenging projects to design and build what my clients want.

I have been building my portfolio partnering with restaurants to make their plates, wide bowls, and other functional ceramics. I have also been creating lines of nonfunctional ceramic fruit! Who needs a ceramic avocado?

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have been loving teaching pottery. It is great to see student’s frustration turn into joy as their skills improve. On one occasion a student had a vision to make a lidded jar. Working through the steps took three months, but the finished piece and happiness that followed was worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/JDangerStudios
• Phone: 9493903919
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: JCGolden6

Image Credit:
Jennica Johnstone, The Raymond Restaurant

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