Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Morris.
Molly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m definitely a “Jill of all trades,” creatively speaking. Art has been the epicenter of my life for as long as I can remember and looking back on it all, I can confidently say I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I think the most formative experience that helped launch me into a career in the arts is my time spent working with artists Greg and Linda Jaris, of Trick Dog Gallery in northern Michigan. Rich with life and artistic knowledge, Greg and Linda nurtured me both as a person and an artist; they gave me creative license within the gallery to play with hand-lettering signs and taught me about the business of creating and selling art. Greg is a marvelous painter and sculptor, as well as a ceramic artist. I have been impacted by the way he marries form and function, and designs dynamic artwork from essential shapes and bold colors. The work he makes, content-wise, is based on adventures, people, pets, and memories that are important to his life. Both Greg and Linda know how to savor and celebrate all the good things they experience and it really translates originally into what they make. During a season of indecision, I came to them for guidance and their response was simply “Go to art school!” And so I did.
I attended SCAD Atlanta in 2013 (after a shocking, but supportive phone call to my parents where I told them I was trading the Michigan snow for Atlanta humidity). I majored in graphic design and to be completely transparent, it wasn’t an intuitive skill for me in the beginning. Graphic design was difficult – it was conceptual, it made me visit places in my mind that I didn’t know I could dig into, and it forced me to grow by leaps and bounds, artistically.
To backtrack a little, I went to a rural high school in Michigan that had one art class and I never had the opportunity to sign up for it. Some students come to SCAD having already taken courses in graphic design at their high school, so I often felt behind and had to work harder to understand the software, concepts and ideas that were being taught at an accelerated pace. It was rigorous, but I had some incredible professors and mentors who helped me learn that being a graphic designer doesn’t just mean working on a computer or hitting a deadline. I’m especially grateful to Professor Peter Wong, who helped me understand that graphic design was really about creating an experience and communicating a story visually – just as the artists I’d worked with in the past had taught me. I am so grateful for my time at SCAD—for giving me the confidence, gumption and creative “sea-legs” I never knew I had.
So where does pottery fit into all this? I started working professionally as a graphic designer in 2017 and felt like I needed something more when I came home at the end of the day. I wasn’t sure what that was, but after working 9-to-5, I was bored. I was scared I would burn out if I freelanced as a graphic designer in the evenings and on weekends, so I wasn’t ready to go that route. My good friend Rachel and I signed up for a “Date Night” at Mudfire Studio in Decatur and the rest is history. For two hours, we worked with an instructor to learn the basics of throwing on the wheel. I was instantly and madly head-over-heels in love with pottery. I loved how the clay felt in my hands, the concentration it took to create a simple form, both the stubbornness and the forgiveness of clay, and the studio itself was an incredible, inclusive space to be in. I signed up for a membership and have been discovering my aesthetic and style ever since.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a bumpy ride, in all honesty. There have been a few large potholes (losing both my grandmothers, moving to a new state, getting engaged and then married), a bit of gravel” (the emotions of figuring out what I enjoy and who I want to become as a professional graphic designer), and some trees in the road (changing jobs). I’ve had to take a few detours, but the new paths and navigation have only strengthened my journey.
I’ve learned to plan better for my future, and most of all to stop being afraid to speak up for what I want. I think as a female artist, we’re constantly fighting to be heard and to overcome real, systemic challenges in the workplace. I am lucky to have surrounded myself with some very intelligent artists—most importantly the incredible owners of Mudfire, Deanna Ranlett and Daphne Dail—who work hard to build inclusivity, education and compassion in the studio.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Good Golly Ceramics – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I’m still a graphic designer by day, but my “5 to 9” is now officially working as a ceramic artist! I am proud to say that I’m the happiest I’ve ever been now that I’m doing this. I feel like I’ve found my joy. My intention for my ceramic work is to create functional pieces that bring your home a moment of happiness – tablescape additions, serveware, and elements that enhance your space or event. I also create functional home goods such as bowls, plates, cheese and charcuterie boards, and tumblers. I love to collaborate with brides and other creatives for their photoshoot needs or custom wedding favors (little dishes or custom ornaments).
“Good Golly” is a nickname that has stuck with me since I was a kid (Little Richard’s popular song “Good Golly Miss Molly”). I feel like it puts out a vibe of cheerfulness and I really love the simplicity of the word “good” – being surrounded by good things, good people, and good experiences makes me feel peaceful and whole. I want to give that same vibe to the work I put out into the world.
A large part of my color inspiration comes from my home in Michigan, where most of my family still resides. The nostalgic references of breezy Lake Michigan days, beach grass, driftwood, and cozy bonfires as the sun sets into the water help me feel closer to home. The simple shapes I create reference sand dune, soft wildflower fields and the rolling waves on a windy day. My pieces are kept simple in form so that my customers can add their own details and experiences to them as they would like. I never want to dictate how a person can use one of my forms – as long as they see it in their space and feel happy about it, that gives me purpose to continue creating. It’s kind of a sharing of energies, in a way.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come with my artwork because it’s been a very personal, therapeutic journey. I turn to clay when I’m sad, or mad, or even just super happy because it brings me focus and intention.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m currently working to increase my stock and collection in hopes to have a booth in some craft fairs in Atlanta and Northern Michigan this coming summer. I’m also in the process of sketching and creating some experimental forms, such as pitchers and butter dishes. As I’ve explored with clay, I really have become strong with hand building and slab work, but I’d like to get back to throwing on the wheel next year and re-familiarize myself with its zen-like nature.
Contact Info:
- Website: goodgollyceramics.com
- Etsy: etsy.com/shop/goodgollyceramics
- Email: hello@
goodgollyceramics.com - Instagram: goodgollyceramics
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