Meet Madi White | Ceramic Art & Design

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

Hi Madi, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It’s funny you ask that. For the first few years after college, I worked in HR for an LA-based coffee company where I did everything from hiring to payroll. Not super glamorous, but it was what I thought I was supposed to be doing. You go to school, get the degree, work the job, buy the house (if you’re lucky) and then you know the rest! It was only after a couple years into the job that the unsettling feeling took root in my stomach. I began wondering, “is this all there is?” I thought surely, there must be something else out there. Another way of doing things, of living life, that wasn’t this.

I left that role in November of 2024- not with the intention to start pursuing a creative career, but more so to take a break and get my bearings. In the meantime, my ceramics hobby began taking up more and more of my time. I began following ceramic artists who made spectacular wall installations, furniture, and tiles that left me dumbfounded. What began as an interest in learning to make a bowl suddenly exploded into the realization that the world of ceramics expanded beyond much greater than what I thought was possible from clay.

“I want to do that!!” the kid in me started saying. From there, Touchstone was born. It’s taken me almost a year of doing it now to realize, I’ve been chasing creative endeavors my whole life. It just took me a while to let myself get to the starting line.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, I started Touchstone last year because I love beautiful ceramic design. So often we move throughout our day, picking up or returning to the same items over and over without a conscious thought. How often do you pick up your car keys, turn off a light, or take a sip of coffee without realizing you’re doing so? Whether we realize it or not, these items function as touchstones, offering a chance to reground ourselves in the tactile experience of being a human being. If we don’t use the touch points we have around us, the digital age we live in makes numbing out, turning off, and moving in auto-pilot the modus operandi for all. Part of the joy of life is in the fact that it’s three-dimensional, so why not make it worth touching?

Some of my favorite Touchstone designs are the ceramic house address numbers, tiles, and switchplates. These all bring beauty to specific points we return to throughout the day, and add an elevated level of detail to a home or space. The switchplates were a big challenge in particular since I saw the need for them before I understood how to make the design. You’re dealing with very specific measurements, down to 1/32 of an inch, all while accounting for shrinkage in the clay once fired to its final form. It took many, many iterations and frustrating tests at home, but getting to see that finished design installed like I imagined is my version of hard drugs. The lesson itself? Tell people what you’re having problems with. A lot of times, someone has tried to do something similar already, and may even know of a tool you’ve never heard of that may help.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
*cracks knuckles*

Okay, assuming my best friend is exactly like me and wants to eat their way through a city, this will be a mostly food-centric itinerary.

On Monday, they’re flying into Burbank because they’re not insane! I’m picking them up and we’re headed straight to Porto’s on Magnolia for pastries and then walking next door to Chance Vintage. We’ll mosey around that area for a couple hours before we head to Griffith Park and hike up to the observatory. Then, we’re heading to Angel’s Tijuana Tacos for dinner in the Target parking lot. IYKYK.
Tuesday we’ll start off walking at the Hollywood Reservoir and then swing by Cafe Telegrama for breakfast. Next stop is Melrose Avenue, where we’ll hit up Crossroads, Wasteland and American Rebel. We’ll caffeinate at Be Bright before heading to the Paramount Tour (she’s a tourist!) and then head to Woon for dinner in Filipinotown.

Wednesday I’m picking up bagels from St. Rafe’s in Cypress Park before we make the drive over to the Getty. We’ll look at art and buy a slice of cake and talk about how polluted the LA skyline is. Then we’ll head into Atwater, have dinner at Dune, and make it over to Nico’s Wine for trivia night a la Girl’s Only Game Club. We’re taking home the crown, obviously.

Thursday we’re starting off at Bub and Grandma’s in Glassell Park for breakfast. Then we’ll head to the Huntington Gardens to wander around and enjoy a tea service (for which I miraculously scored a reservation) and afterwards get a pick-me-up from Mandarin coffee stand. Dinner is sushi at Ikigai and afterwards we’ll catch a movie at Vidiots in Eagle Rock.

Friday is our hard-earned beach day. We’ll stop at a Kogi food truck on the way down to Dockweiler beach and camp out at the fire pit we claimed until it gets dark. Nothing to do but snack, read, swim and sleep, with a beach bonfire to close out the night.

I have to end it there because I think at this point in the trip I’d say “go on without me”, but there’s so many more places I could name!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
You know, working as a creative entrepreneur may sound like a solo job, but there really are so many folks that offer support and guidance along the way to make it possible. A few shoutouts are deserved here:

First off, for Christine Howell, the designer and founder of Dear Survivor. Christine sat down with me before I even contemplated leaving my 9 to 5 and walked me through all the logistics of what it takes to start your own business. From filing with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration to giving feedback on product ideas: she offered invaluable guidance to me whereas most people have to learn the hard way. I consider her my unofficial official business advisor, though she’d never agree to it!

Secondly, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I’m actually rolling my eyes at how often I talk about this book (I’m working through it for a second time right now) but it really helps me prioritize my creativity in a world where we’re consciously and unconsciously told art is not a priority. The book is a 12-week guided course filled with journaling prompts and exercises designed to reconnect you with your creativity and every time I revisit it, Julia drops another bombshell on me. TAW4lyfe.

And finally, my husband, Jake. I know you’re probably used to the spouse getting a shout out all the time in this question but I can’t help it!! He’s very cute and I love him. He also knows how to use Adobe Premiere, so what else could you really ask for?

Website: https://touchstone-la.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/touchstone.la/?hl=en

Other: https://touchstonela.substack.com/