Meet Tyler Howard | Professional Potter/Ceramic Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Howard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
As a child, I was always surrounded by art. From an early age, my parents had a way of pointing out the natural beauty constantly occurring around us. Whether it was ivy climbing a brick wall, an interesting looking rock, or the patterns on a bird’s feather, I was taught to be enchanted by the world around me.

An artistic career was NEVER on the forefront of my mind. In high school, I began working during the summers at an art-based non-profit organization teaching children’s art classes. It was more of a way to make money, or fun-fact to tell during icebreaker activities than anything else. Also, being very colorblind, diving wholeheartedly into art was intimidating. I knew I could never coordinate or grasp color in the same way as those around me, so the idea was ruled out relatively quickly.

Some people have a plan A, B, or C. Pursuing pottery was my plan G or H. Throughout my life, nothing I tried ever felt like the correct fit. After dropping out of college at 19, and years of trial and error afterward, I found myself working at the same place as I did in high school, this time teaching ceramics. One day, a coworker said to me “I’ve seen you throw so many class demos on the wheel, but I’ve never seen you keep or finish anything. Why not try?”

So I did. And I haven’t stopped since. My world made sense when the clay started spinning. When I touched it, it was as if a charge of electricity went through my entire body. My life immediately changed from “wandering around looking for something” to a dogged, passionate pursuit of artistic perfection. I had found my purpose.

After taking the plunge, selling at multiple fairs, and showing at countless exhibits, this is only the beginning. Pottery as a whole has taught me so much about myself, introduced me to so many talented people, and given me so many amazing opportunities, I feel that I’d be doing myself a disservice by ever entertaining the idea of stopping.

Art is the way I interact with the world. Art is my way of showcasing my personal perspective in ways that words never could. Art gave me the ability to truly, wholeheartedly, bet on myself. Art gave me a way of leaving a footprint on the world, that maybe one day will inspire others to do the same.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being colorblind, traditional color theory is kind of lost on me. Due to this, I’m primarily drawn to contrast and texture, which coincidentally became my niche, more or less. I prefer two-tone work, allowing the opposites to interact and subsequently define each other. Whether it’s the bright, pure, white of a porcelain clay body drawing attention to a band of color, or a glassy, fluid, glaze running down the side of a rough, earthy, stoneware, I love showcasing that contrast. You can’t miss contrast. Contrast screams.

I enjoy making functional pieces. Pieces that add more to someone’s life than just beauty. Purpose only enhances beauty. It also forms a meaningful bond between artist and customer. Once a piece leaves my hands, it’s on the new owner to truly define that piece’s purpose. This turns art into a two-way street. I create the piece, but the true meaning of that piece lies in the function and legacy bestowed on it by the new owner. A piece is never truly finished in my mind until it’s fulfilling a purpose.

As far as what sets me apart, I am entirely self-taught. My work is a product of what started as locking myself in a pottery studio every night for 2 years, until I felt I was ready to “enter the artistic world”. I realized that I was surrounded by artists that not only had years of experience on me, but some even had degrees to match, and I was starting very behind. I was an athlete my entire life, with a bit of a competitive streak to match, so I defaulted to what I knew: “He who has the most reps wins”. So I worked relentlessly to play “catch up”. I jokingly referred to it as “my training montage era”.

It wasn’t easy in the slightest to get here. The amount of self-doubt and impostor-syndrome that I experienced, and still sometimes experience, every day was harrowing. I was terrified of failure, terrified of a “failed venture”, terrified of my work not stacking up to those around me. The only solution was to keep my head down and keep pushing. Not only did it distract me from my fears and doubts, but it was quite literally alleviating them right before my eyes. Every piece I made, I would repeat to myself “This could be The One.” You never know whose eyes will end up seeing your work, whether it’s immediate or years after the fact.

I just continued to bet on myself. I learned to have faith in my work ethic, to have faith in my goal. You need a ton of bravery, a ton of blind faith in yourself and your perspective, but also faith in people. You never know who’s watching, or which customer or opportunity will be the one that will change everything.

As far as my brand goes. I guess it displays just what dogged determination, passion, and a little bit of luck can get you. I was never an art student, I don’t have a college degree, I had NO clue what I was doing, but here I am. I’m only here because I wake up every day and continue to bet on myself. Believe in the dream, and the universe will blow your mind with where it takes you.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m a massive fan of people watching. I tend to gravitate toward anywhere that caters to an eclectic group of people. Again, contrast.

I love seeing different perspectives manifesting themselves in other people’s existences. And those perspectives interacting and mingling in a melting-pot sort of way.

Art museums are just as interesting as your local coffee shop or dive bar. It’s all in the perspective.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The Plymouth Community Arts Council, along with its entire wonderful staff, who work tirelessly to enrich the lives of others with art in all shapes and forms.

Kaylon, for telling me “Why not try?”

Isaac, for giving me my first big sales opportunity.

My entire support system, for sticking by my side and continuously celebrating my successes.

All of those I’ve mentored and my students through the years, who continue to teach me just how powerful inspiration can be, and motivating me to tirelessly show up as the best version of myself.

Website: https://ironflowerpottery.com

Instagram: @ironflowerpottery

Image Credits
Isaac Selling

Ashlyn Turner