Meet Scotlyn Kent

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

Hi Scotlyn, what are you inspired by?
Mother Earth! As a potter I work with bits of earth everyday. I take balls of clay and transform them into functional items to be held by the human hands. I work with material dug from our lands mixed with water from our wells. I am continuously in awe of our planet, full of wonders, I have find inspiration in our waters, lands, skies, and inhabitants. Throughout my ceramic designs earth is represented in some form in almost every piece I create.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I birthed Solitude just over a year ago, but my ceramic career started back sometime in 2014. After I took my first ceramic course I was hooked. I was determined to have a future as a potter. My bones cried for it. I spent all of my free time improving my technique. I was in the studio 20 plus hours a week on top if maintaining a job and full time schooling. It took some dear friend to push me to start putting my work out into the world and that was the creation of Solitude. From a technical perspective, no it was not easy I spent countless hours practicing, refining, and ruining pot after pot, but the community that has formed around Solitude has been quite easy. I have such a wonderful support systems of friends, makers, collaborators, and loved one that has made the experience of starting a small business joyful.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Welp, I reside in NorthEast LA so I would first stick to my favorite local neighborhood business like Walts, All-Star lanes, and soon to open Vidiots! I am really jazzed about the work Maggie Mckay and her partners are doing to restore the old Eagle Theater. I would also recommend getting out and exploring the lands around Los Angeles hiking up in Angeles Crest National Forest or soaking up sun in Malibu.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner has been the heavy lifting, support, and back bone behind Solitude Ceramics. Just today he carried 50lb of clay a mile down the road while we walked our pup. He has been my biggest support and critic he continually pushes me to refine and rethink my work. I may not be where I am today without him, so this shout out is dedicated to him. I also have has some wonderful ceramic mentors that have undoubtedly shaped my artistic vision and ceramic skill. Brian Bosworth, my first ceramic professor, is an amazing human whose work is inspirational. Luis Bermudez, at Cal State Los Angeles Ceramics department. Luiz pushed me to step out of my safety zone to think conceptually about ceramics this is something I very much needed to grow as a potter.

Website: Solitudeceramics.com

Instagram: Solitudeceramics