Meet Monica Noonan | Ceramic Artist & Designer

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

Hi Monica, can you share the most important lesson you’ve learned over the course of your career?
Deciding to make ceramic art as a career has taught me the necessity of trusting myself. I’ve had to learn to listen to my instincts without judgement. To trust my taste, and sometimes odd habits and rituals. To trust what subjects, concepts, and movements I am drawn to. Going all-in on myself felt risky at first, but the pay off has been huge. The more I trust this process, the more I understand my purpose in life, and the more my work resonates with people.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After a brief stint at art school, I took a break from making visual art and spent the next 10 years experimenting. I wrote some music, trained as a birth doula, worked in bars and nightclubs, backpacked around the country for a year and half, assisted costume and set designers, danced a lot, headed the production design for an indie film, the list goes on. Eventually at 28, I took a handbuilding pottery class and my love for visual art making was reignited. I have since developed two frequently-overlapping branches of my practice: one where I design functional objects, and another where I make sculptural, non-functional works with a focus on pushing form. I only use hand-building techniques, so that means no potter’s wheel. I enjoy experimenting with glaze chemistry and respect its unpredictable nature. My functional designs are often inspired by historic British, Japanese and Greek pottery, paired with a love of color, drama, and play. The more conceptual, non-functional works are inspired by botanics, personal memory, and formal experimentation. In general, I aim to transmute my awe of life, from the light to the dark, into works of art that people can live with and be inspired by. As I said earlier, trusting myself has been the biggest component for success in my practice. I really had to get out of my own way, which was really scary at times, and took a lot of internal work to overcome. Growing can be painful. I thought no one would take me seriously, because I couldn’t hack it at art school and was degree-less. But turns out, that’s not what it’s all about. I’ve found that it’s about digging deep, seeking truth, and presenting my findings. That’s what resonates with people the most.
I’m currently doing my best to flex my business muscle, which, like for many artists, doesn’t come as naturally as sculpting and designing. Branding and marketing are weird, but they’re necessary, so I’m trying to have fun with it. It’s helped to always make sure they’re aligned with the ethos of my creative practice. And I’ve learned a lot from friends who are further along in their business journey’s. I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for my friends and loved ones who’ve supported me with love, opportunities, and sales.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My boyfriend and I love hosting visitors in LA. We usually start with a leisurely walk through our hilly east side neighborhood, complete with great vistas and cool homes and gardens to take in. After resting and relaxing in our sunny yard, it’s always fun to hit a happy hour for some good conversation and people watching. Figaro Bistro in Los Feliz has great sidewalk seating, a la Paris, with decent moules frites and good happy hour specials. The iconic Dresden room is a half block away, so we’re definitely stopping in for a bit of jazz and a martini. Other favorite destinations are the Griffith Observatory, Musso and Franks, a walk through the shops and galleries in Chinatown or around Echo Park lake and the many shops neaby. For nature, we might do Malibu State Park, the Chantry Flats or Point Dume. I usually try to get a feel for my guests preferred experience, and we go from there. There’s truly something for everyone here.

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?
I dedicate my shoutout to my boyfriend Alex, for never doubting my abilities and supporting me in many ways while I take a shot at a career in art and design. Special mentions go out to Abbe, Willy, and Skye for sharing your space, wisdom, and/or opportunities with me.

Website: www.monicanoonan.com

Instagram: bird_monet

Image Credits
Alex Roe Guzel Khos