I’d love to hear about the green energy aspect of this studio that you’ve cultivated! Why is that important to you, and what does that look like logistically? Feel free to tie in your experiences in the outdoors, as well, and how that influenced this decision.

Being out in nature always made me feel like a kid - from being able to totally shut off to imagining the greatest adventure! I remember being very young building fairy houses with my best friend in my parents’ garden, searching for the year’s first daffodils with mom and skipping rocks with my dad. When my partner and I decided to purchase a house, it was really important to not only live in the woods but to also invest in green solutions so that we could help preserve the environment for future generations. I mostly think about my friends’ kids and all the awesome things they could miss out on if we as a whole don’t make changes, take responsibility and work to preserve the environment. After living in Brooklyn for so long, purchasing our home felt like a clean slate for us to really dive into being greener. There are a few things we do in the studio to reduce our carbon footprint. First, our insulation was created out of recycled denim. We converted to solar energy in early 2020. Small towns in our area rely mostly on well water so instead of adding any undue burden to the local water supply, we collect rainwater. We also mainly use recycled packaging materials collected from local businesses and townspeople. I think our next steps are to find more funding to help us expand our systems to add more solar and a better method for collecting rainwater. It’s all a work in progress but it feels great to be working on it.

What are the core intentions and root values of your business and practices?

At Wild Bower Studio we create one of a kind ceramic pieces that you’ll want to use everyday, give as gifts, and pass down throughout your family. We greatly value and recognize that it is our responsibility to make smart decisions that will aid in reducing our impact on the environment. We also value humanity and pledge to educate ourselves and others along with donating revenue from sales to nonprofit organizations that focus on making life better for others.

What has your experience been like cultivating a community, and working within the one in your small town? What is the importance, in your opinion, of developing local community connections?

It’s pretty wild moving from bustling Brooklyn to the small hamlet of Mountaindale. They are obviously very different but regardless of where you find yourself it takes effort and commitment to cultivate a community. We landed in this small hamlet because there was a lot of energy going into revitalizing the downtown area. It’s been really enjoyable being a part of that and having input into what’s happening. I think what I’ve learned about being here is how important it is for every individual to get involved with what’s happening within your community. That’s how we’ve gained more insight into the pressure being put on our water system and how we could go about making smarter choices for how we run our business. It’s so interesting because I feel like we have more room to make a difference here and people are very open to collaborating and helping with that. In the summer of 2020 we worked with a few locals to throw an empty bowls style fundraiser for our local NAACP chapter where we connected with about 15 local potters from upstate. It was amazing!

How would you describe your ceramic style and what is your favorite style/pieces to create?

My work gravitates towards warm minimalism using simple shapes and warms hues to slightly abstract expressionism in application of my colors. I aim to create pieces that are filled with warmth, comfort, and movement that feel special and make your space homey and alive. We’ve all really had to make home feel like a sanctuary and fill it with pieces that you want to use everyday and giftive to your family and friends. What a hard question! It is so difficult to pick just one favorite piece to make as they all hold a different part of me. If I had to choose, at the moment, my larger, more intricate pieces like teapots would be a favorite as they are such a challenge and so rewarding once they emerge out of the kiln.

In a previous conversation we had, you mentioned how creating with your hands, and art in general, has truly been a notion of healing. Can you touch on that?

Ceramics is an amazing medium because it demands such concentration, adaptation, patience, knowledge and strength. I had some really intense, trumatic and emotional years that caused my body and mind to seize up and to constantly be on alert — I was exhausted. I’ve never been great at talk therapy even though I’ve gone a lot. Ceramics required me to put so much of myself into manipulating each piece of clay that it really took me out of that trauma that I was experiencing and allowed for my body to relax. So, ceramics alone, though tough, the process can be so peaceful that it becomes therapy but then add in the devoted ceramic community and get connection and support. I feel that any sort of art form from coloring books to sewing to floral arranging to game design - wherever you find relaxation and especially where you feel safe is important to embrace and follow.

Thank you so much for chatting with me, Nicole! Lastly, for those looking to follow along with your content and support you, where can they find you and what does supporting you look like?

Of course! I love finding people who love art and the environment as much as I do. You can find me everyday on Instagram @WildBowerStudio. For more in depth information about the studio, new products and happenings please sign up for my newsletter via www.wildbowerstudio.com.