A shoot with RJ Ceramics, the epitome of joyful creative freedom and your ultimate small business start up inspiration
You don’t always know what draws you to something, and digging through those layers to figure it out, after years in a non-creative job (or in my case, also, years of being a parent and losing touch with ‘you’), can be so challenging. First you have to recognise that you are drawn to something, which can be challenging enough, but then digging deeper, what is it that draws you in?
What sparks joy and makes you feel that elusive but magical ‘feeling’? Why do you feel that way? This was the subject of an inspiring and thought provoking conversation with the lovely Rachel Jones, artist, potter, and creative founder of RJ ceramics (@r_j_ceramics).
Rachel has a fascinating background in Event riding - riding for Great Britain, training elite horses, renovating equestrian properties and hiring out brightly painted Land Rovers as wedding vehicles (the creativity was in there before she found ceramics) … Truly an unexpected tapestry of exciting ventures and wide ranging stories. It was very tough to keep my mind on the photography!
I had a lovely couple of hours with Rachel, chatting about the creative process, the twists and turns of life in general, the value of therapy (we agree, everybody should spend some time in therapy at one point in their lives - the best way to invest in yourself!), and the challenges of how to allow yourself to be free from what you “ought” to do - whether on Instagram, art or in business in general. So many women nowadays are making mid life pivots - whether it is starting a side hustle (me!), or going all in and throwing themselves into a new creative business (Rachel). All of it requires guts, digging deep, bravery, authenticity and a huge dose of passion. The women I have met on my personal creative journey have had past lives as teachers, midwives and occupational therapists to name a few, and we chatted about how that previous life experience can give you the skills and confidence to take a leap into the unknown and go for it - follow that voice inside you that you have been squashing and silencing for years.
Rachel’s work is undoubtedly passion based and definitely falls into the category of true ‘art’. Her home is also a testament to her creative genius, bravery and guts. Designed by herself (who needs an architect?! Ummmm me for sure haha!), Rachel’s home (see her Instagram - @RJ_house_on_the_hill) is 100% something Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs would have loved to have been involved in, it is definitely TV worthy, it’s still a work in progress and labour of love but already brimming with personality. With hand sanded scaffolding boards (when I say hand sanded - she literally sanded them herself), across the high, open plan ceiling, floor to ceiling windows opening out to a stunning rural landscape of golden crops, a gorgeous polished concrete floor (no idea you could polish concrete - who knew?!), and a riot of bold colours and eclectic decor, as soon as you step in the door. The vibe is 100% one of someone who has found her ‘why’ and embraced her inner creative!
Rachel’s studio is an absolute treasure trove of colour and joyful creativity. Her personality shines through in all of her pieces - the vibrant glaze, unique and beautiful designs, and the sheer variety of creative and tactile shapes of her ceramics is a total delight if you, like me, are in the tribe who takes joy from the freedom and love poured into the creative process. I asked her what her favourite colour glaze was (mine is the hot pink for sure) and she said she couldn’t possibly choose. She does love a bowl, although I’m not 100% sure I got her to commit to it being her favourite piece to create, the truth is she just loves the process and becomes completely immersed in the flow. Take a look at the gallery, I think you can really see that in the images we captured on the day.
Why invest in branding photography?
So what is the value of investing in photography when you are already creating such beautiful work? I honestly think it is all in the story and selling you! The creative love and depth that goes into these pieces far surpasses anything you can buy that is mass produced, even if it ended up looking similar (which it couldn’t honestly because each piece is 100% unique), somehow a piece created with love and a ‘why’ just lands differently. When you create from a place of love and passion there is a shining joy to the pieces that you produce and they have a heart. To really convey this depth to your customers they need to see you in that creative flow, and in your authentic, real, actual workshop doing your thing. The amount of love and care going into each piece shines out of Rachel’s gallery and, after our discussion today, we both agree, the story sells too, as do you, as well as your fabulous creations.
