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 in the RCC basement studios 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 Jen Mills (she/her)! Jen is a top-notch teacher at Rain City Clay. Her classes are a blast, mixing handbuilding and wheel throwing demos to show off all the cool things that can be done with clay. In her upcoming spring session here at RCC, Jen is honing in on the art of crafting sets, whether it's a series of mugs or an entire table setting.

In her teaching, she celebrates the knowledge that is discovered when we use our hands to create, and delights in the exchange of ideas possible when we are inspired by each other and our surroundings. She encourages her students to bring their outside interests into their work, to think outside the box, and be open to inspiration all around.

Jen’s Bio:

Jen Mills is an artist and educator who has been teaching ceramics for over 15 years. Growing up in Colorado, Jen was inspired by the landscape of opposites where the Great Plains rush up to meet the Rocky Mountains. Her approach to ceramics incorporates this dichotomy by exploring clay's ability to be soft and brittle, strong and fragile. Her work draws inspiration from the objects we use everyday - bowls, vases and vessels - to create installations both large and small. Repetition as exploration. She is currently developing a line of functional wares based on her installation work. She lives in West Seattle with her wife and 10 year old son.

What is your favorite thing about being an RCC instructor?

The students, community, and the space. I believe that by surrounding yourself in a space that is welcoming and homey, results in a relaxed and supportive learning environment. We have that in spades at RCC.

How long have you been working with clay?

Over 25 years! And it feels like I've just started my journey.

How do you push through creative blocks?

The only way I have found is to start from where you left off. I do sketch on paper, cutting and collaging things together, but I can never truly progress unless my hands are working in clay. So I will then throw some cylinders and alter them, or make some pinched and slab built cups. Working with the clay allows my mind to wander, and I will usually get a spark of a new idea by the time I'm done. I call this "sketching" in clay, and even if I don't keep anything I've made, I usually have the start of a new idea.

What are your inspirations / influences when making pottery?

For a long time I have been interested in the landscape - both physical and personal. The colors, textures and topography of where we live seeps into our subconscious and influences us - and the work I make echoes that. I have created large installations that draw on the colors of the Puget Sound, and the glaciers that made our hills. Lately I have been making work based on the vessels from the previous installations, and thinking about the landscape of the home. The kitchen table is a site-specific installation that we set up everytime we eat. I am currently working on a body of work for this particular site.

What is your favorite part of the clay process?

I love to alter. Whether thrown, slab built or slip cast, I like responding to the form and putting a small curve or moment into it (usually at the soft leather-hard stage) that none of the others will have. Each piece is therefore an individual that belongs to the group.

When do you feel most inspired?

I feel most inspired when I see my work interact with both each other (I love multiples!) and with the user. The whole is more than the sum of the parts for me, and I am always looking for a conversation.

What advice would you give to Jen 10 years ago?

Perfection is the enemy of good. Don't be so hard on yourself and your efforts as they are the only way to move forward and grow.

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March 2024 Staff Highlight: Jen Mills

Get to know Jen!