Hello!
I’m Garrett - a ceramicist and art enthusiast exploring my creative passion in Los Angeles. I design and create ceramic pieces from inspiration I’ve seen throughout my life and fellow artists. I’m also a big nature explorer and traveler, always trying to spark creative ideas from my adventures. My ceramic knowledge and experience spans a diverse range of techniques; from hand building to my favorite but also my specialty, wheel throwing. Throughout my artistic career playing with clay, I’ve created many ceramic pieces such as: large statement pieces, ring/jewelry dishes, bowls, large vases, bud vases, planters, and everything in between.
My Journey
After graduating from Boston University with a BS in Business Administration, I spent years in the ecommerce industry. After much soul searching and self reflection I decided to quit my full time job in hopes of finding something I was truly passionate about. I decided to pick up ceramics again. I previously took 2 years of ceramics in high school and felt a longing to return to the art world. Quickly realizing how fulfilling it is to make functional and artistic work with my hands, I was inspired to start Chubby Panda Studios. A place to show off as an artist and perhaps sell a few pieces along the way too! :) Ceramics has rapidly become a main focal point and passion of my life. Hopefully you are able to connect and see the passion, effort, attention to detail, and dedication to this craft that I put into every single one of my pieces! My dreams are to be able to share my work with everyone.
Follow, share, and see even more of my work @chubbypandastudios on Instagram. I’m extremely active on insta! :)
My Work
My work is mainly wheel throwing, which means each piece is individually handmade on a pottery wheel. I’m always constantly experimenting with different clay bodies and glazes which means almost all items I create are one of a kind unique pieces. Different clay bodies can change the nature of the glazes applied over them allowing an infinite amount of beautiful colors and glaze combos to shine on my pieces.
After a ceramic piece is thrown on the wheel, it dries slowly, is trimmed at the leather hard stage, and then, only once it’s fully bone dry, is carefully loaded into an electric kiln and fired to about 1900°F (cone 05) for the “bisque” firing. This process changes the clay into what we call ceramic, permanently setting the shape. Up until this point the clay could always be reclaimed into new raw clay by reintroducing water, but the bisque firing is the first irreversible process.
Next comes glazing. Glaze is actually glass that becomes liquid in the firing process. Glazes are made from a mixture of powdered minerals, fluxes, and stabilizers. What you’re seeing in the final finished piece is the movement of glaze that occurred at around 2100°F (cone 5) in the 2nd firing aka “glaze fire” becoming frozen forever as the kiln cools.
Instagram: @chubbypandastudios
