Meet the Maker: Member Goodbye!

Oct 1

Our month’s Meet the Maker feature is a look into the life of longtime member, Lynn Leischner.

Lynn (she/her) works in wheel throwing and handbuilding and has been a member since 2022 and student since 2021.

Lynn’s last month as a member was August as she and her husband Mark will be moving to Portugal In the Fall. Lynn will continue to be a student at the studio until she makes her transition to living abroad. We asked Lynn a few questions about her life and process so you can get to know the amazing people who have made Hand / Thrown what it is. We will dearly miss Lynn!

HAND / THROWN Tell us a little bit about you!

LYNN LEISCHNER: I’ve lived a life as many women. Cheerleader, disco DJ, wife, doula, mother, volunteer, community builder, home and garden designer and implementer. I grew up in San Antonio, TX, raised my family in Harrisonburg, VA, built a home in the mountains of NW NC and now reside in Richmond.

HT: Tell us a little bit about the style of work you enjoy making most!

LL: I enjoy making both functional and decorative pottery and integrating the two.

HT: What originally drew you to working with clay?

LL: I grew up next door to a woman that threw pots in her garage and sold them at the Starving Artist events in San Antonio. She specifically threw hanging planters she would macrame.

H/ T When did you join the Hand / Thrown community? How long have you been a member / student etc?

LL: My first class was with Remi in Sept 2021 and I became a member in July of 2022.

HT: What type of clay do you like to work with, why?

LL: I use the studio Brownstone. I love the texture and the speckles in the finished pieces.

HT: Where do you find inspiration for your work?

LL : Nature. Most of the piece I create include flowers and leaves or are for plants and flowers.

HT: Describe your favorite piece of pottery (currently).
LL : Pots and vases with decorative flowers and swiggles.

HT: What’s your sign?
LL: Cancer

HT: What is your favorite tool, why?

LL : A small yellow rib.

HT: Do you have a favorite step within your process?

LL : Centering. It is the hardest for me but once I get it just right it’s amazing.

HT: Cats? Dogs? Or other!

LL: Dogs

HT: What do you enjoy most about being a member at H/T?

LL: The people! The open and welcoming community. The sharing of ideas and knowledge.

HT: What’s next for you?

LL: Mark and I are relocating to Caldas da Rainha, Portugal. Caldas is about an hour north of Lisbon and has a rich history in ceramics. I hope to find community there as I have at Hand/Thrown.