Meet Josie Cross: Pottery Artist

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

Hi Josie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Art has always been something that has served as an outlet for me, not only am I most happy when I am creating, but pottery is my most proud reflection of who I am. While I am only in the beginning of my career, and still finishing up my last semester at University Of Alabama I hope to pursue pottery full time come May. I know this is what I am meant to do and where I want to put my energy. I believe that finding happiness in what you do everyday is important to living a fulfilling life, and I have finally found my niche that brings me an inexplicable amount of joy. I am extremley thankful for the support from my parents, my mentors and so many friends and family; it truly inspires me to keep pushing despite the challenges I face starting a small business in a pandemic.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Honestly, I am in the very beginning of my career as an artist, but I am fully ready to get started and dive in head first. In the last six years I made an instagram and started selling my pieces, but there is so much more to building a brand and starting from scratch. Personally, I am an artist I make art because I like to make it, and it brings me so much joy, but the business side has been a major challenge for me. Something I have learned is to never stop believing in yourself and to just keep on creating because that is what is most important. Often times I feel super discouraged because pottery doesn’t sound like the typical job that all my friends are going to get post graduation which is intimidating. Despite these low points, pottery has brought me more happiness and joy that makes all these fears seem so small. My pottery is all inspired by nature and the world around me, I am an observer, an introverted person, and an over-thinker that likes to take in everything the world has to offer. My pieces allow me to express myself and reflect mental images into something physically pleasing, my pottery is a reflection of my (overthought) thought processes. I am fascinated by texture and began adding texture because I was unsatisfied by the imperfections on the surfaces of my coil pots, but now texture completely inspires and captivates me. My art is most positively a reflection of who I am as a person because at first glance it is busy, detail oriented, and focused but simultaneously reflects my “going with the flow” nature as it all develops into a shape or pattern itself. None of my pieces are ever planned exactly. I want the world to know that I am just getting started, and I have so many ideas and hopes for the future of my pottery and I am thankful for those following and supporting me through this process.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love exploring Atlanta and all the amazing spots around the city, I would say the beltline is my favorite go-to spot on a Saturday there are so many good food spots to try, great shops, and even a few galleries and the best street art! I love hanging out at Ladybird, an outdoor bar/ food spot that sits on the beltline. I also love going down to Virginia Highlands where my favorite restaurant, Murphys Tavern is they have great shopping and a few dive bars that always show me a great time! Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my mom and dad, Jane and Joe Cross who have shown me so much support in building this business. My dad has put so much time and energy into helping me build my studio in the garage which was a lot of work, so I am super blessed to have his handiness! My mom is always helping me find new clients and pushing me to keep creating and to keep going, she has been encouraging me to pursue pottery since the beginning and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. Mark Knott, my mentor and teacher has also been a major part of my success as an artist, he is one of my favorite people and who I can credit for helping me find my passion. I feel very lucky to have such supportive people in my life always.

Website: www.josiecross.com
Instagram: @josieceramics
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/in/josie-cross-12774216b?trk=people-guest_people_search-card&challengeId=AQFjr8zHJ_tVmAAAAXdAXBKmc5CpRAcEpMjcJIlKv8ECVvNYFyGJJkM4A09riWNxvoa4ab94AnpXIHbnGkyfkdQ0rOx-jY9KaQ&submissionId=1c7366dd-cce1-5d16-1a84-9364a9f8d00c