MEET THE MAKER
We chat with Larissa Goodwin - Matamata based artist, studio potter & creative behind Goodwin Ceramics.
“Goodwin Ceramics creates functional and ornamental pieces with a focus on form and texture. They are created using both wheel throwing and hand building techniques and are intended for everyday use.
Using stoneware clay that is fired in an electric kiln and finished with custom glazes, Larissa celebrates the unique, letting the quality and variations of the clay show through producing a contemporary take on classical forms.
Larissa is a graduate of AUT Visual Arts and a post graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts.”
Photography by Ophelia
Can you explain your work and what you do/make?
I work as a potter, making functional homeware. I make small-ish quantities for customers through my website, and stock in stores around Aotearoa. On occasion I make more sculptural work for art galleries, when I have the time.
Tell us more about the business. How did it start?
I started working seriously with clay in 2019, but have had a longstanding love for it since my time at Elam in the early 2010s.
I wanted to learn the more formal aspects of pottery, so I signed up for a night class, while at the same time working as an intern for Kirsten Dryburgh in her studio two days a week. I soaked up as much as possible for three months with her, before buying my own secondhand wheel and kiln.
I launched the website in April 2020 and got a wonderful response from customers and stores asking to stock my work. There was a real push to support NZ made in those early pandemic days, and my business benefited from that love.
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
It comes from the everyday, if I realise a need for something - I just make it! Also architecture, nature, watching films, I often notice nice shapes and forms in the background. It also comes from other creatives, who want to collaborate together on a product. This is a super satisfying way of working and I am lucky it has been happening fairly regularly.
How important is it for small businesses to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
It's vital, not only for our businesses success, but also for our sense of community. Often we are working alone and second guessing ourselves. But hearing from other people who have pushed on or overcome challenges gives us the encouragement we need. I’ve been fortunate that other small business owners have been so generous with sharing their knowledge with me, and I am more than happy to pass along my own experiences. It means we all succeed, and creates a thriving arts industry.
What is the most important message you want to send out to others thinking about starting a business?
Don’t be afraid to start small. Holding off until you have x amount of product can often be your biggest hurdle. You’ll learn so much from the feedback you get on those first products and create more successful work quicker. And be honest in your marketing. It’ll have to stand the test of time, and if it’s true to who you are, the business will have longevity.
Do you have any daily rituals?
I have a toddler, so really I’m just muddling through the day, but my coffee in the morning and watching good tv at night are my simple pleasures. We also got a puppy for Christmas so the routine of walking her has been wonderful. We spend a lot of time outside.
What art inspires you?
I’ve been drawn back to JB Blunk regularly for his sculptural forms. The home and studio he built in Marin County is my forever dream space. Hannah Valentine makes beautiful work in bronze. Her installations are always catching my eye. Joseph Nerney’s paintings have such a beautiful illustrative ease to them. His use of colour really draws me in.
Top 3 fave small businesses?
My friend Bailey just ventured into her own business, Earnest Art Services in Christchurch. She is so talented and I can’t wait to see her business grow further.
Bruce Tattoo and Art Space in Tāmaki Makaurau is my favourite place to get tattooed. They have created a really beautiful and welcoming space to host a range of artists.
Roses Dining Room also in Tāmaki is a really wonderful concept, hosting resident chefs for one-off dining events. I love the sense of community within that idea and it offers a space for creativity in food.
Where can we see more of you?
You can keep up with my studio life on instagram, @goodwinceramics
