Rain City Clay is lucky to be staffed by a group of dedicated ceramicists who work diligently to keep the studio running, who teach with passion and exuberance, and engage and build community through clay. In addition to all that they do at RCC, they also have their own clay practices, either at RCC or off-site, where they make their own work and grow their skills. Each month we will be featuring one of our fantastic staff members and their talents.

This month we are highlighting studio technician Dax Joubert-Bousson (they/them)!

Dax’s Bio:

Dax Joubert-Bousson is a potter who is originally from Briançon, France. They moved to Wyoming in 2009 and then to Washington in 2018, where they reside now. After graduating from Western Washington University with a degree in Neuroscience, they took their first ceramics class at their local community studio and fell in love with the medium.

Dax often uses leaves or found objects to decorate the surfaces of their pieces, as well as colored slips and oxides. They enjoy altering thrown forms, making small animal figurines, as well as atmospheric firing. Dax is also a fiber artist. They spin their own yarn, weave, knit, and use natural dyes from fungi and flora to color their fiber and yarn.

How long have you been working with clay?

I’ve been working with clay for almost 5 years now. I started in the spring of 2021 at a community studio in Bellingham.

What do you like about being a tech at RCC/RCS?

I really enjoy doing the “behind the scenes” work. It’s also a really great opportunity for knowledge. Everything is a learning experience, from loading a kiln, to making glazes, even to mopping and organizing studio space. I’m learning so much by being here and being part of the crew, and absorbing and growing my knowledge has increased my inspiration and excitement for my own work.

What is your favorite part of the clay process?

I really love throwing, but also the refining process. Taking a rib and defining a curve. I can really get lost in it, it’s a very meditative process for me. But it’s always a challenge to know when to draw the line between continuing to refine and letting it be. I enjoy trying to figure out how to make a piece as well, do I need to throw it in multiple pieces? Can I make it in one? Do I need to handbuild part of it?

What is your favorite clay tool?

I love my Dolan tools knife, it’s a great thin blade and cuts really smooth. Great for my lanterns or any altering I need to do.

What are your inspirations / influences when making work?

Like most artists, nature is my biggest source of inspiration. I love the textures that nature can bring, from the veiny patterns of leaves to the wind kissed cliffs on the coast. It’s all of interest to me and often inspires how I inform my work. I also draw inspiration from ceramics throughout history. Ceramics from Ancient Greece, Japan, Korea, the forms, the simple yet complexity of the surface design and the artistry. I want my pieces to convey time and a sense of antiquity and being part of nature. Like something dug from the earth or something found at the bottom of the ocean. I also feel kinship in seeing work throughout time. All these years have passed but we’re still making similar shapes and pots and that brings me a lot of joy.

If your clay creations could talk, what do you think they would say to you?

Oftentimes when I look at my work, my pieces tell me what they’d like to be used for. A certain cup wants to be used for green tea, or this tray for roasted vegetables. So I’d think they’d tell me about what they’d like to be used for, maybe what their favorite flavor of tea or what type dish they would hope to host.

Is there something you’ve wanted to try making that you’ve never made before or haven’t made in a long time?

I’ve always wanted to try to make a Kylix, an Ancient Greek drinking bowl, it’s a gorgeous shape that looks fun to make, getting the proportions right feels like a nice challenge too.

What valuable lessons have you learned along your artistic journey that you wish you knew when you first began?

For a long time I’ve disliked making art because I always put too much pressure on myself and would get frustrated when the idea I had in my head didn’t match up with my actual skill. I didn’t give myself permission to be a beginner, to grow, learn, and make mistakes. Comparing myself, my work, my journey to that of others only robs me of the joy of being on my own path and going through the ups and downs that comes with being an artist and getting better in a certain medium.

What's next for Dax? Shows? Markets? Etc?

My primary focus would be on participating in more juried shows. I was in two different ones this year and it was a really great way to start getting my work out into the world. I think next year I’d like to also participate in some markets.

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Staff Highlight: Dax Joubert-Bousson

Dax’s Bio:

Get to know Dax!