Laura Viren: Lulu Pottery
My name is Laura Viren, and I’m the owner and clay-covered woman behind Lulu Pottery. Very few things in my life make sense to me, but for some reason, clay does— the way the wheel spins, the feeling of the clay in my hands, and the unlimited potential outcomes of every vessel that goes into a final firing. It speaks to me in a way that no other artist medium or academic study does.
I first sat at the potter’s wheel when I was 9, and I knew from that moment on that I wanted to continue finding ways to be around clay in any capacity possible. For the next 15 years, I played with polymer clay, took every ceramic class I could, and participated in summer art camps to fuel my love for the ceramic arts. Pottery remained a consistent hobby of mine until 2012 when I finally decided I could either dream of being a potter, or I could take a chance and go for it as a career.
After completing my first degree in Public Health as a fail-safe, I decided to go back to school for a post-bachelors degree at Montana State University and officially take the ultimate plunge and follow a career related to the arts. I’ve never looked back, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I studied both Graphic Design and Ceramics, and then took an apprentice position at a local production pottery studio while doing my independent study in Ceramics. One year later, Lulu Pottery came to life with the encouragement, guidance, and love of my husband and family.
For me, Lulu Pottery seemed to fall into place. I felt like I have failed at so many other things that I had nothing left to lose. Although academia is important, and I agree with it as a primary source of education, I always felt as though I was meant to work with my hands. The transition felt right. After working in production pottery for a year and still not making a decent living financially, I finally decided there wasn’t much to lose. So I went for it.
By the time I registered my business and got my paperwork together to become official, my husband and I also decided that we put off having kids for long enough. For the first five years, I put everything I had back into my company and my children, which meant watching them by day and working nights to fill orders. My children are now 3 and 4 ½ and love to help “momma in the studio.” I love them and my husband so much and can’t imagine another path. I wouldn’t change my journey for the world, but I am glad I’ve finally hit my stride as a working mother. I finally feel content with where my family and company are.
I’m driven by my passion for clay and its complexities. I’ve always loved the delicate features of porcelain and its infinite possibilities. Each piece begins as a blank canvas, and throughout its’ making, begins to tell a unique story. I believe those who are drawn to ceramics are subconsciously seeking an experience. Functional art is tangible. Its very existence waits for us to wake up in the morning to give it life and purpose. We tend to remember the way it felt in our hands or on our lips as we take that first sip, and it becomes a more intimate experience. With technology so abundant, I think we secretly long for something definite and familiar in our lives. These handmade pieces create conversation and evoke a personal interaction. They bring us together for gatherings, events, and celebrations where we get to enjoy them as functional artistic centerpieces or as gifts for loved ones. I love making purposeful art that can be enjoyed and experienced every day, and I strive to create beautiful, timeless, and durable wares using simple tools and a strong passion. I hope everyone enjoys using Lulu Pottery and much as I enjoyed making it.
The hardest part about my entire adventure was feeling like I didn’t fit into any one version of a normal career path. Pursuing a career in the arts felt so risky to everyone else, but doing something I didn’t love every day felt like an even greater risk because I wanted to live a life full of passion. Ultimately, I’ve never looked back on my decision to become a full-time potter. I try to encourage young, aspiring artists to ask themselves what they would enjoy doing the rest of their lives, and then find a way to make it happen.
Inspiration flows fairly steadily nowadays. Ceramics is a long, complex process, and by the time one idea comes to fruition, I’ve already had time to think through and have the next vision ready to go. I’m most inspired by my clients. They always have fun and creative ideas that spark life into my job. For example, if I meet with a florist and they want something drawn on paper to come to life for a custom floral arrangement, that’s what I do best. I function in 3D because it just makes sense— it’s how my brain operates. Having challenging orders placed pushes me outside my comfort zone and forces a forever learning experience with ceramics, which is what I fell in love with in the first place.
To see more of Laura’s work, visit her website at lulupottery.com. Select pieces are also available at 32 locations across Montana.
