About me & my work
Hey Friends! I'm Ashley, the owner and founder of June & Gem Ceramics Studio! I'm a Washington based artist, born in Portland, Oregon. I received a BA with Honors from the University of Washington in 2020, majoring in Interdisciplinary Visual Arts. In school, I specialized in Linocut and Woodblock Printmaking, but almost immediately after graduation I fell in love with pottery. I started off by creating cute, one of kind ceramic cats, which then grew into a full-fledged pottery studio! Today, I'm proud to offer a variety of pottery classes, workshops, and memberships for people of all skill levels. While I still make my beloved ceramic cats on the side for Patreon members, I'm also excited to welcome you to my cozy, inclusive studio where you can explore your own creativity, learn new techniques, and connect with fellow clay enthusiasts. ​

My background
For way too many years I felt lost and doubted I would ever find fulfillment in my career. I have always been extremely creative and found a way to create something out of pretty much anything. Unfortunately, I had the misconception that an art career was unattainable. I thought I would be poor and no one would like anything I made. Instead, I became a hairstylist. It felt more realistic and within my capabilities. My career as a hairstylist was the challenge I needed for the time being, however it left a void inside me. It took me almost fourteen years of doing hair to gain enough confidence to allow myself to follow my dream of being an independent artist. I recognized that my need to create is unstoppable and it's not about money or making things that people like. It's about the act of creating, being vulnerable, not taking anything too seriously, creating community and turning my thoughts, experiences and emotions into something tangible. It's about creating what I care about and believing that naturally people will follow. It's about giving in to who I really am, even if that means being poor and everyone hates my work. Creating is my passion, my life blood. Being an artist is who I am to the core and that's it. So, here I am making art and sharing my passion with the world.