Artist Spotlight: Catie Miller

About Catie:

"I’m a ceramic artist, illustrator, and muralist based in Fargo, North Dakota. I first fell in love with clay in high school and continued studying ceramics while earning my Art Education degree in college. I loved that clay could hold both form and story, something functional that could also carry illustrations, patterns, and memories.

​Over time my work shifted toward printmaking transfer techniques on clay using Amaco Underglazes in combination with colored slips. Today I work full time as an artist, making pottery, teaching workshops, and painting murals."

Visit Catie's Website!

Q: What inspires your work or keeps you excited in the studio?
A: "A lot of my inspiration comes from everyday moments and small memories—things like birdwatching in the yard, gardening, my kids catching minnows, or family hunting trips to western North Dakota. I enjoy turning those experiences into colorful, celebratory imagery on clay.​

What keeps me excited in the studio is the process of figuring things out. Clay always has something new to teach, and I enjoy the constant problem-solving that comes with it."

Q: What is your favorite AMACO product and why?​
A: "I love using underglazes from AMACO. I often mix my own screen printing inks from the AMACO Velvet Underglazes, but I’ve also really been enjoying the new line of ready-to-use AMACO Inks.​

I screen print the underglazes and inks onto newsprint to create transfers—usually as linework outlines—but I’ve been experimenting more with translucent layers and multi-color screen prints. They’re incredibly versatile and mix easily to create any color, which allows me to fully customize my palette while keeping the color consistent and vibrant in the kiln."

Q: Any advice you'd give to someone just starting out with clay?
A: "Focus on making a lot of work and give yourself permission to experiment. Clay has a learning curve, and the best way to improve is simply by spending time with the material.​And remember, the ideas are scarier when they live in your head instead of your hands. I find a lot of the noise in my head goes away when I’m creatively active."

Q: Where can people find your work?
A: "You can find my work online at my website, www.catie-miller.com, where I release new pottery collections, share workshop information, and post updates about murals and public art projects. I’m also active on Instagram at www.instagram.com/catiemillerceramics, where I share behind-the-scenes studio process and new work.
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I’ll be participating in the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour over Mother’s Day weekend, where visitors can see work in person, meet artists, and explore pottery studios throughout the St. Croix Valley in Minnesota."