Meet the Maker: Member Edition

Aug 22

Our month’s Meet the Maker feature is a look into the life of member, Megan Ayers.

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

We asked Megan a few questions about her life and process so you can get to know the amazing people who make Hand / Thrown what it is.

HAND / THROWN Tell us a little bit about you!

MEGAN AYERS: I come from a military family so I moved around a lot as a kid but I came to Richmond waaaay back in 2006 for college at VCU and fell in love with this city! I majored in Biology and conducted research on insect learning behavior for my Master’s thesis. After that I worked as a conservation zoologist where I had the opportunity to spend most of my summers outside in the undeveloped parts of Virginia really getting to know and love the biodiversity of our state.

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

MA: I love to make highly detailed pieces inspired by nature. Whether it’s a painted meadow on a mug or an animal sculpture, I want people to spend time finding all the little hidden details, like a tiny snail hidden in foliage.

HT: What originally drew you to working with clay?

MA: My friend took classes at Hand/Thrown when we worked together and loved it. So when I had the chance to take a class I jumped at the opportunity!

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

MA: I started taking classes in October 2021. I took several beginner and intermediate classes before I became a member in the summer of 2022.

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

MA: I like to work with standard #553. It’s a slightly groggy buff colored clay that works for both wheel throwing and hand building. When fully fired it is a warmer white-ish clay which adds a bit of a sunny day feel to my painted pieces. But I am starting my journey with porcelain so wish me luck!

HT: Where do you find inspiration for your work?

MA : My inspiration comes from my schooling, my previous job, the years I spent doing zoological surveys in Virginia (from bees to bats to mussels), and learning the techniques to find and identify animals down to the species level. It’s a study of how the details add up to a larger picture. So saying I am inspired by nature feels a bit cliche but it’s so true and you can see it in my work.

HT: What’s your sign?
MA :I am a Leo, and I love the summer!

HT: What is your favorite tool, why?

MA : For wheel throwing I do most of my shaping with the basic wood rib that comes with any basic starter tool kit, but I do love the white mud tools sponge for pulling walls. For sculpting, I bought a cheap small wooden knife tool that has a small rounded end on the opposite side that I use for pretty much all of my detailing.

HT: Who are some artists you admire, why?

MA : Sarah Ritchie sculpts and paints beautiful and intricate insects on her pieces. Her work has an ease and flow to it that is something I am working to even come close to.

Sarah Conti, in her own words, “talks about the intersection of social and environmental issues through birds”. I have yet to see her work in person, but my favorite show of hers is the “Lost History of Women”. She focuses on the parallels of patriarchy in the human and bird worlds by highlighting bird species that are named after male bird appearances that do not describe the females of the same species, which are typically vastly understudied.

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

MA : Can I say I love details too many times? My favorite step is adding all the little buggies on my meadow pieces. After I finish the flowers and larger animals, I go through and add the butterflies, bees, dragonflies, spiders, snails, etc. I think those are the final details that really add life and bring my paintings together.

HT: Describe your favorite piece of pottery (currently).
MA : I just took the smoke firing workshop taught by Nyasha Chigama and I love the small vessels I made for that class. The technique and final look is so far from anything I usually make. The pieces are so unique they will be my favorites for a while!

HT: Cats? Dogs? Or other!

MA: Cats for sure. I love dogs but I am an owner of cats. And tarantulas. Which are really just small 8-legged cats.

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

MA: The community. I have a small studio at my house but being around the other members, students, and teachers is invaluable. Having a place where there are people that I can learn new techniques from, bounce ideas off of, make art trades with, and have friendships with is hard to find, but Hand/Thrown has it!