Artist Spotlight: Michael Hall

About Michael

"I’m from Kansas City Missouri, lived and learned in Phoenix, and currently work in my studio space at 323Clay. I got into ceramics as a highschool student and needed what it provided in undergrad—can’t get enough of it."
Michael Hall Pottery

Q: What inspires your work or keeps you excited in the studio?

A: "My work is inspired by bottom-up processing, extreme pattern recognition, and reduced ability to access abstraction. I get caught up in the details to cope with hyper-responsive processing; it makes the dopamine get out of bed and go to work. Also—Art Historically—Ukiyo-e prints, Huaniaohua Painting, Art Nouveau, Drake/Duchamp/Perry motives, Irezumi, Hanakotoba, and Hillian ceramics."

Q: What is your favorite AMACO product and why?

A: "AMACO Velvet underglazes—all day, all night baybee! Why?—they are consistent, predictable, and can be adapted to seemingly endless application methods. Ceramics isn’t smooth sailing, ever, so I like that I never have to worry about my colors while I worry about the rest."

Q: Any advice you'd give to someone just starting out with clay?

A: "First of all, heck yeah! Get it! Having a relationship with clay is to be human—it’s a beautiful thing! It’s thoroughly changed my life and I hope you get all the good things from ceramics. Most importantly: Failure is how you succeed. Failure creates evidence of your learning. Fail. Fail like you mean it. Fail with intention. Fail with joy. Find that silver lining and make more pots!"