Check out Jensen Harris’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jensen Harris.

Jensen, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
When I started making pottery four years ago, I was working a job I disliked, but my optimistic nature made the job feel bearable. Instead of making an escape plan, I’d think about how thankful I was to have a job, and that the people I worked with were respectful, and that I should find a way to love what I do, instead of changing it. I decided that maybe I was putting too much pressure on my job to be my source of happiness, and that if I just did something that I enjoyed outside of work I could enjoy my job more.

I decided to take a 5-day pottery course in Gatlinburg, TN. I didn’t really know a lot about pottery, or why people were interested in it. I wasn’t even really sure why I thought I might be, but I felt like, even if I didn’t like it, or didn’t want to do it again, I learned something about myself, and that would help guide me into something else.

As I’m sure you’ve guessed, I fell in love with it. I kept my job and converted a shed in my friends’ backyard into a small studio where I could practice. I’d tried to go every chance I could, and would spend my weekends there. I felt really good about making pottery and thought maybe one day I could do it full-time, but my shed studio setup lasted for about a year until the house my studio was behind suddenly sold.

I decided to get a second job and save up money. I still wanted to make pottery, so I would work my two jobs and drive to South Carolina on the weekends to throw pottery and run the kiln out of my parent’s garage, and then drive back to Atlanta. Yuh know, no big deal. I did that until the beginning of 2018. I finally saved up enough money to quit my jobs and see how far I could go doing pottery full-time.

I’ve been full-time for eight glorious months. I have a studio space in Atlanta, and I’m so incredibly thankful for all of the support.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Making pottery is a labor of love. Sometimes it’s exciting, sometimes it’s overwhelming, but like a lot of artists, it’s the growth from the process that drives me. Sometimes the process offers a lesson about pottery, and sometimes I learn a little more about myself, but the biggest reward is when a piece is put to use in its new home!

I value the quirks that make people special and follow the same approach in my design. Rather than striving for exact replications, I love creating functional pottery that people love choosing. None of the pieces are the same, and people can choose which one feels special to them.

From a ball of clay to a functional piece, I watch the pottery change and grow through each part of the process, but it’s the people who use it, and make it functional, that bring it to life. The infinity symbol I sign the bottoms of my pottery with represents the past they had with me, and the future they’ll have with you.

How can artists connect with other artists?
I think Atlanta is one of the best places to be in that situation! There are so many pop-up markets around the city, it’s a great way to connect with local artists!

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I usually do 3 or 4 markets around Atlanta a month. The best way to find out where I’ll be next is to follow me on Instagram!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/afterhourspottery

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