Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesselyn Gordon
Hi Jesselyn, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started as a painting and drawing major at UTSA while pursuing a BFA, I took my first ceramics course and was TERRIBLE at it. Being a stubborn person, that was not going to fly, so I made it my entire personality and that lead me to where I am. Along the way, I have met so many incredible humans that have offered help and encouraged me on my journey- We have the most amazing community here in San Antonio and everyday I feel so lucky to be apart of it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any road is smooth! However going through struggles with the artists and friends around me has made everything feel much more normal and less overwhelming. I think once I realized that everyone else is just as confused as I am made it seem a lot less daunting. Asking for guidance through understanding peoples’ unique stories and experiences has only propelled me into what I am doing. Community is everything to me, and we can only achieve things together. So not a smooth path, but it’s like I am running a tough-mudder or something and there are people giving me water and snacks along the way.
We’ve been impressed with Thrown Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started Thrown Studio as a way to support my art-making addiction. I have an inherent need to ue my hands and make things so it only made sense for me to make that my full-time job- not a lot of people get to say they play in the mud for a living! My business focuses on making custom dish-ware for local restaurants and coffee shops- Some of my current clients are Clementine, Indy Coffee, Mira Matcha and Vela Coffee. When working with such clients I make sure to have one-on-one conversations to figure out specific needs in their shop or for their retail. I also make custom dishes for people’s personal use, currently I am making a 48 piece dish set for a dear friend, I worked with her to design custom shapes and glaze combinations to create something completely unique and really special for both of us.
Thrown Studio is also an Artist in Residence program. I currently host 8 artists in my space and have my first intern who has been learning about kilns, clay-bodies, glaze chemistry, and whatever else she is wanting to explore! Soon we will open to the public and host workshops, having our residents teach them in order to gain experience while floating their rent. That opportunity is something that I found scarce when entering into this field, it is an extremely expensive hobby and business so creating more opportunity for artists to gain knowledge and experience is what my primary focus is for my brick and mortar.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I spent a lot of time outside as a kid; making mud pies and mixing dirt with water to make “potions” (shocker, I know), hitting small rocks with big rocks to see what was inside, exploring tide pools and petting the sea creatures in them. Interacting with nature has always grounded me, I find it fitting that I use a natural material as a primary medium.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thrown.studio/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrownstudio/
