About Me, Amy Joy...
Welcome to AmyJoy Pottery. I appreciate your support and interest in my work!
I was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and have always had a passion for art. I would draw, paint, sculpt, and more as a child. When in high school, I focused on design. While in college at the University of Central Missouri, I was working on my undergraduate degree in graphic design, but quickly switched to art education. I found ceramics in college and immediately fell in love. I worked on my undergraduate and received my Bachelor of Science in Education in 2004 with an emphasis to teach design, painting, fiber arts, and last, but not least, ceramics.
I came back to St. Louis and began my teaching career. I have been teaching all ages how to create with clay, how to draw, paint, dye fabrics, weave, sculpt, and design. Every school year is a new adventure in teaching and I enjoy learning more about myself as a person, teacher, and artist.
In 2011, I graduated with a Masters of Art from Fontbonne University with an emphasis in ceramics. I challenged my throwing skills, learned more about the firing process, and started to find my style. After taking a break, I decided to go back in 2019 to pursue my MFA. I graduated with my Masters of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics from Fontbonne University in 2023.
In my work, I like to incorporate bright colors, textures, carvings, and more. I like to use textures, decals, and small designs to set my work apart from others. My pieces are a collection of my personal experiences, including my passions, challenges, and dreams. Each of the designs on my pieces has been inspired by growth, love, hope, the circle of life, everyone we meet in our lives, dreaming big, and the climbs we endure and overcome. One particular event that has deeply impacted my art is the occurrence of several miscarriages. Through my artistic expression, I find solace in persevering, spreading happiness, and nurturing a positive outlook.
As a child, my family used to gather every Sunday at my grandparent's house for a big family dinner. We would all come together, including aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, and grandparents, and enjoy a delicious meal cooked by my grandmother. I have fond memories of us all sitting around the table, chatting, laughing, and sharing stories. These family gatherings continue to inspire me to create pieces for others to gather around.
I am inspired by my husband, Joe, my son, Maverick, and our four dogs, Reagan, Ramsey, Dexter, and Dixie. My dad, my brother, and their families are also very important to me, and love that we are able to spend so much time together.
