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

Hi Amy, how do you think about risk?

I think everyone is fearful of taking risks. You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you face your fears, whatever they may be. You are putting yourself out there for others to possibly pick apart and criticize. but in contrast, there may be the pleasant surprise of praise and admiration. But ultimately, I do it for myself. It just simply makes me feel fulfilled! I crave the process with all its ups and downs and unpredictability. The reward is creating something with your own hands. When you finally pull a piece out of the kiln and its perfect, there is nothing better!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My ceramics are mostly one of a kind, hand thrown and carved pieces. Each step of creating a piece has its own reward. I came upon ceramics in “the second part of my life”. I had a career in fashion as an art director when I was younger and then spent the next 20 years raising my kids. So when they were grown, I was faced with…what am I going to do now? I always dabbled in creative projects my entire life. Graphic design, restaurant design, and interior design. So I looked at pottery as just an extension of that creative process. My kids introduced me to instagram and I was so shocked to see how many people were drawn to the process of ceramics. My following grew, inquiries grew, and it blossmed into a business. I have an exclusive at a beautiful store in Pasadena called Maude Woods and I sell to many interior designers and of course friends. I also have a website (which I am absolutely awful about updating) so I end up selling through DMs on instagram. It always amazes me when I have piles of inventory and I wonder what I’m going to do with all of it and suddenly is all gone and I need to restock. Its a great feeling.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As well as pottery, I’m an avid gardener. One of my very favorite places to visit is Lotusland in Santa Barbara. I also will seek out any botanical garden in any city that I visit. Huntington Library botanical garden is fantastic. My favorite area in Los Angeles is DTLA for its culture and great restaurants. A few favorites are Factory Kitchen for the best pasta, Bestia for everything and fantastic cocktails, and Otium Restaurant which is beautiful and conveniently located next to the Broad Museum.The Arts District is constantly change with art exhibits. They literally are everywhere you walk. There are Banksy’s under overpasses, incredible murals, and sculptures just about everywhere. The Secret Stairs of LA is a book that will take you on the most interesting hikes in los Angeles. Silverlake/echo park are my favorite locations from the book. Almento is one of my favorite local restaurants there. And if you are looking for literally the best smash burger, check out Heavy Handed. they pop-up in Venice ever Sunday. And for BBQ there is no one better then Flatpoint Barbecue. They also pop-up every Saturday in Venice. both are not to be missed!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
One day, my three dogs escaped (as they often do) and wandered into my neighbors yard. It was then that I met Jacqueline Stanford, a former triathlete and neighbor of 18 years who was running a pottery workshop out of her backyard. Out of curiosity, I signed up for one of her classes and found my passion for the wheel. I began to study with Jacqueline every week. She taught me the patience and meditative skills it takes to be a ceramist. I am extremely impatient and that was my biggest obstacle. One pot takes quite some time, start to finish. You have to move slowly and methodically and think about each time you touch the piece your working on which was very difficult for me in the beginning. But Jacqueline kept reminding me and eventually it clicked. I still have moments where I just have to walk away because nothing’s coming out right, and then there’s days when everything is just perfect. Those are the best and worth every struggle!!

Website: www.agceramics.shop
Instagram: agceramics.shop

Image Credits
Portrait – Monica Orozco still shots – Susan Vizvary Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.