Q&A:
Please introduce yourself!
My name is Corrie Sullivan, and I’m originally from Dublin, Ireland. I’ve been living in Los Angeles for over 15 years, where I run my creative studio, Corrie in Color (opens in a new tab), designing colorful art installations for events, interiors, and brands. Outside of work, I’m a mom to three amazing girls—Sienna, Scarlett, and Indigo—and I love traveling, visiting art museums, and finding inspiration through color and design. I first dabbled in pottery in high school, but it wasn’t until joining NAPS about a year ago that I truly fell in love with working in clay.
Your clay story: when and how did you first get into pottery? Can you remember your first pottery experience? Do you have any first memories that stick out?
Some of my earliest pottery memories are from high school in Dublin, where I took ceramics as part of my art classes. I remember hand-building a mobile of zoo animals for one of my projects, and it was the first time I realized how much I loved working with clay. One memory that has always stayed with me is visiting a family friend who had a pottery wheel. It was my first time throwing, and I was instantly hooked. There was something so satisfying about the process that has stayed with me ever since.
What forms do you make most, and what’s your style or go-to techniques/materials?
These days I work almost exclusively with hand-building. I fell in love with it after taking a class at NAPS because it gives me the freedom to sculpt and create without feeling limited by the wheel. Texture has become the thread that runs through all of my work. I love experimenting with folds, layers, and surface details—whether that’s creating a vessel that looks like pleated fabric or building forms by layering hundreds of small clay pieces, inspired by the way I make tissue-paper piñatas. I studied embroidery and textile design in art school, so combining my love of textiles, fiber, and ceramics feels like a very natural evolution of my creative practice.
What appeals to you about clay and what lessons has it taught you?
I originally joined a pottery class because, as my creative business has grown, I’ve found myself spending more time running a team and less time making with my own hands. I missed having a creative outlet that wasn’t tied to a client, a deadline, or an expectation. Clay gives me the freedom to experiment, play, and simply see where an idea leads.
One of the biggest lessons pottery has taught me is to let go of the outcome. My practice is all about curiosity rather than perfection. If a piece turns out beautifully, that’s wonderful. If it doesn’t, I’ve still learned something. That mindset has been incredibly refreshing and reminds me that creating just for the joy of creating is valuable in itself.
Like many creatives, my instinct is often to ask, “How could this become a business?” Pottery has helped me resist that urge and embrace making purely for the process. And while I’d love to share or sell a few pieces someday, I’m in no rush—right now, I’m enjoying the freedom of being a student again.
How did you find Not Another Pottery Studio? Do you have any special moments, or favorite memories with other members / students?
I found NAPS through my friend Jenny Flack, who is also a member of the studio. One of my favorite memories was meeting Lauren and discovering that we’re both from Ireland. We instantly connected, and from the very beginning she encouraged me to push boundaries, experiment, and make whatever I wanted. That spirit of creativity and exploration has really stayed with me.
I’ve also loved getting to know so many of the members and having inspiring conversations while we create alongside one another. Recently, Jenny and I even did a little collaboration where she made a few mugs and I glazed them—it was such a fun experience and a great reminder of how collaborative and supportive the NAPS community is.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in pottery?
My biggest piece of advice would be to let go of trying to make something perfect. Some of my favorite pieces have come from experimenting, taking risks, and being open to happy accidents. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else—everyone develops their own style in their own time.
I’d also encourage people to try everything. Take different classes, explore new techniques, and don’t be afraid to make something completely different from what you’ve seen before. Pottery should be playful. The more you give yourself permission to explore, the more you’ll discover your own creative voice.
If we want to see more of you, your work (ceramic or other), where would we go? (If people can buy your work or you take commissions, let us know!)
You can follow my creative journey and see more of my work at @corrieincolor (opens in a new tab) on Instagram or visit corrieincolor.com (opens in a new tab). While most of my work is currently focused on large-scale art installations and public art through Corrie in Color, I’m excited to continue growing my ceramics practice. I’m always open to commissions, collaborations, and conversations about my work.
I’ll also be hosting an open studio and curated art exhibition called TEXTURE. on October 3 as part of LA Design Weekend. The exhibition celebrates artists and designers exploring materiality and surface across ceramics, fiber, textiles, and sculpture. Fellow NAPS member Karli Fairbanks will be exhibiting her work as part of the show, and everyone is welcome!
Feel free to reach out at corrie@corrieincolor.com.
