About
About the Artist
Katie Larson is the creative force behind Seabear Ceramics. After more than a decade of working full-time in the nonprofit sector, she has (finally!) found peace, refuge, and abundant opportunity for self-expression working in ceramics.
Katie is your classic serial hobbyist. Gardening, embroidery, painting, writing, cooking, hiking, weaving, crochet, swimming, volleyball, tennis… the list is long and constantly growing.
Working with clay has become a daily meditative practice in my life. My work centers flora and natural, organic shapes. I appreciate clean, soft lines and try to embrace all of the lumps, bumps, and quirks that come along with the handbuilding process. I am drawn towards texture and tactility, and enjoy bringing sculptural elements to functional pieces for the home.
My Story
In 2023, I lost my dad to s*icide. The grief was overwhelming. I made the difficult decision to step away from my dream job, and spent months in counseling, support groups, and Joan Didion books, working to process all that had happened.
Shortly after my dad passed, my sister, Hannah, brought a few tubs of air dry clay to my parents house, and we began joking that we were doing art therapy on ourselves. It helped. I made dozens of clay flowers to give out to friends and family.
I’ve always had a hard time with birthdays, and the first few after losing my dad were particularly hard. My partner, Dane, gifted me a 4-week handbuilding course at a pottery studio in our neighborhood, and from the first day, I was hooked. I went through my first 25 lb bag of clay and booked a full membership before the course ended.
It’s been almost two years since that first class, and I’m still excited to go to the studio every single day that I can. What started as a few lunch-break sessions a week has turned into working on-staff as an instructor and studio technician, when I’m not just there to play around and get my hands dirty.
I am deeply thankful to my sister for introducing me to clay (and all that has come with it!) when I needed it the most. I’m also so thankful for Dane, my wonderful partner, who gave me the gift (and the nudge) that I needed to throw myself into something new.
My Muse
The name Seabear Ceramics is a shoutout to my family cat, Seabear, as well as my dad, who named her. Seabear Crimefighter Larson was born somewhere on the streets of Bakersfield, and adopted by us when I was in high school. She was the first cat that our dog-loving family had ever had, and it took us weeks to name her. My dad landed on the name Seabear (we’re a Spongebob family) and she quickly grew into her name. Seabear and I were thick as thieves, but my dad was her one true love. She passed away shortly after he did, likely of a broken heart.