Michelle Cohen, ceramicist

When my youngest son was a senior in high school, and we all found ourselves coming out of the Covid era and the toll that took,  I began looking ahead to what I hoped would be better days to come. I had always dabbled in creative endeavors (painting, music, knitting and the like) but found something still wanting. Staring down the barrel of empty nest-dom, and with a lifetime of curiosity about wheel-throwing, I finally decided to sign up for a beginner class. 

That first lump of clay, that first day on the wheel, it just felt like I was coming home to someplace I didn't know I'd been missing. Coming home to myself.  Somehow I was there with a bowl I had made with my own two hands and I knew that for the rest of my life I simply had to keep doing this. The very physical connection of making something with your hands, the weight of your body, the force of the spin was magical to me. 

Today I am lucky enough to be working in a community studio filled with lovely people who create inspiring work. I learn from them, from my own attempts, successes and failures and from the people sharing nuggets of wisdom and beautiful work on social media.

I love creating both decorative and purpose-built pieces. I work primarily in porcelain that is gas fired to cone 10 in a reduction atmosphere. I enjoy hand-building but remain true to my first love of the wheel.

I look forward to learning more about myself, this craft, and what resonates with people. I remain humbled and filled with gratitude to be doing something that brings joy, peace and beauty to my life.