Daily Inspiration: Meet CRLZ

Today we’d like to introduce you to CRLZ.

Hi CRLZ, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is CRLZ (pronounced “Curls”), always written in ALL CAPS. I’m an Atlanta-born and raised ceramic artist, curator, educator, and Co-founder of Framing By Design. I grew up with a mother who is an interior designer, so I was surrounded by creativity and visual storytelling from an early age. I was also deeply shaped by Atlanta’s skate, graffiti, and nightlife culture, which has influenced how I see the world and how I move through creative spaces. My journey has been a combination of art, community, and figuring things out as I go.

For 12 years, I’ve focused my artistic expression primarily in clay. I was fortunate to be introduced to ceramics in high school, where I fell in love with the medium. I was drawn to the process of taking something from my imagination and physically bringing it into the world. Over time, clay became much more than a medium for me; it became a way to process life, explore ideas, and connect with people. My work is heavily influenced by nature, science, brutalist forms/aesthetics, and my fascination with the idea of “modern taxidermy”…preserving, reimagining, and transforming forms found in the natural world.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not. I don’t think any creative career is ever a completely smooth road, and mine has been no different. A lot of my journey has been about learning how to trust myself, my ideas, and my ability to create a sustainable life around my creativity.

One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the artist side of myself with the business side. As creatives, we’re often taught to focus on the work itself, but building a career requires so much more…learning how to advocate for yourself, understand finances, navigate partnerships, manage a business, and recognize the value of your time and your ideas. I’ve had to learn many of those things through experience.

There have also been moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, especially when I’ve felt like I was trying to figure everything out at once. But I’ve learned that the difficult seasons are often where the most growth happens. Every challenge has pushed me to become more intentional about what I’m building and why.

I’m still figuring things out, but I think that’s part of the process. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has been meaningful. Every obstacle has taught me something that I’ve been able to carry into the next chapter, and I think that’s what has ultimately allowed me to keep moving forward.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work is rooted in ceramic sculpture, where I explore the expressive potential of clay and create artifacts that exist somewhere between the earthly and the ethereal. I’m interested in creating otherworldly forms that challenge conventional ideas of beauty. Through details like eyes, spikes, and organic forms, I give each piece an emotional and sometimes haunting presence. I think of this practice as “modern taxidermy”… an attempt to encapsulate the beauty and mystery of the natural world while inviting viewers to contemplate the space between the tangible and the spiritual.

I’m interested in creating work that makes people pause…to question what they’re looking at, find something familiar within something unfamiliar, and experience a sense of curiosity. I think that curiosity is one of the most important parts of my practice.

What I’m most proud of is developing a visual language that feels distinctly my own. I’ve spent years experimenting and allowing myself to follow my curiosity rather than feeling confined to what ceramics are “supposed” to be. I think what sets me apart is my ability to find a balance between contrasts- the beautiful and the strange, the organic and the architectural, and the functional and the sculptural.

Outside of my studio practice, I’m also the Co-founder, CFO and Director of Strategic Partnerships at Framing By Design. That work has allowed me to explore another side of my creativity- building partnerships, supporting artists, and creating opportunities for art to be experienced and preserved in meaningful ways.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I think the best advice I can give is to be genuinely curious and build real relationships. I’ve found that the most meaningful connections in my career have come from showing up, being present, and allowing relationships to develop naturally rather than approaching people with the mindset of, “What can this person do for me?”

I also think it’s important to be willing to put yourself in rooms where you may not know anyone. Go to exhibitions, events, workshops, talks, and community gatherings. Introduce yourself. Ask questions. Support other people’s work. Sometimes the best opportunities come from simply being consistent and being seen.

When it comes to mentorship, I don’t think you always have to find one person who becomes your official mentor. I’ve learned from so many different people throughout my career, and each person has taught me something different. I try to be open to learning from people in all different walks of life.

Most importantly, I think you have to be willing to give as much as you receive. The relationships that have meant the most to me have been reciprocal. When you genuinely care about people and their work, and you show up for them, you build a community—not just a network.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Crlzceramics.com
• Instagram: @crlzceramics