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Ceramicist Lauren Johnson is no quiet studio dweller. She cheers when she finishes a piece she absolutely loves, cries her eyes out when she can't seem to center the clay, cusses out the kiln when it reveals a less-than-stellar creation, and sheds tears of joy when her hands feel in tune. Lauren doesn't just make pottery; she has a self-proclaimed "therapy session" while creating masterpieces, embracing how the clay makes her feel.

Daydreaming and engineering a work of art into physical existence brings me a sense of purpose and brightens the duller parts of my life.

Inspired by Mother Nature some days and her vivid imagination other days, the Denver-based artist and model has mastered the art of tuning out the chaos, slowing down her movements with intention, and tuning in to her mind and body. We were lucky enough to work with Lauren for our 2024 shoots and learn more about how she finds her Outerknown, on and off the pottery wheel.

You may have seen or heard our tagline, "Find Your Outerknown." The Outerknown is part of who you are; it grounds you, resets your day and makes you the best version of yourself. Whether you're going across the globe or just outside your door, we encourage everyone to find their Outerknown every day. What would you say your Outerknown is?
My go-to answer is when I am imagining, creating, and presenting my artwork.  I think it would be incorrect to leave out the amount of self-reflection I do, which is inevitably at the core of my Outerknown. Daydreaming and engineering a work of art into physical existence brings me a sense of purpose and brightens the duller parts of my life.  When I am overwhelmed, I often say that I need to tune out, slow down, and tune in, and to me that means:  

Tuning out the noise and potential chaos (good and bad). Slowing down my movements and being much more intentional about my choices of what I think, ingest, and do throughout the day. Tuning in to what slowing down has awakened in my body and mind.

What sparked your love for art and ceramics?
I fall in and out of love with my ceramics every week, haha; it's definitely an intense love-hate relationship because of the amount of time, attention, and dedication this medium requires of me.  My Nana had many beautiful roles, and her role as a ceramic artist and a painter was very prevalent in my early childhood when she would sit all the little rambunctious kids down and say, "We're doing this," plop down a ball of clay, some tools, and a bucket of water.  I'd like to think the love affair began there, but it wasn't until over a decade later that I felt a yearning in my heart.  After all, I grew up in a family of artists: painters, ceramicists, composers, dancers, musicians, gardeners, and expanding thinkers; what a gift.

I read in another interview that you often get inspiration from "different variations in nature and landscape." How does that translate into your ceramic work?
I focus a lot on reimagining functional pieces we already use. The pieces I create are often still used for the same purpose but have a new impact because of the reimagined composition.

Nature is the OG of this, with inspiration in every curve or angle. I also find the variety of mixed materials used in buildings incredibly inspiring and like to imagine how I would turn their elements into ceramic artworks of mine.

What are other sources of inspiration for you?
Sometimes people’s faces and simple or grand body movements can ignite a bit of inspiration in my techniques and edges of my work.  Other sources of inspiration have been less in the physical realm, and more in my vivid imagination.  For example, there are times I hear people telling a story, and my brain starts to create a piece of artwork that would nurture or honor their story. I love when that happens, and it makes me feel connected to the world in a way the world will never know, if that makes sense.

What's your artistic process like when you sit down to create a piece?
I try to draw as many of my ideas down as I can before they drift away, or morph into a new totally separate piece. The process seems to be happening constantly, so usually, by the time I am physically creating with my hands, I have done the motions in my head a hundred times, and fully planned out measurements, how the pieces will fit together, etc. I line up my tools and water bowl and get going. 

When I've seen artists working with clay or with any art form, it definitely seems like a meditation. Does it feel that way for you when you create?
When I am alone with my clay, it feels much more like a therapy session than a meditation session. I often hype myself up during my time in the studio; I'm not a quiet studio dweller - I will cheer when I finish a piece and absolutely love it, cry my eyes out when I can't seem to center any clay that day, shed tears when my hands feel really in tune with the clay and wheel movements, and cuss the kiln out when I open it to unexpectedly disappointing outcomes.  I love the way clay makes me feel.

I know our team loves working with you for so many reasons, but you are also a STUNNING model. How and when did you get into modeling?
Well, hell yah! That’s always so nice to hear, especially when the feelings are mutual!  I started modeling when I was 16 in Minnesota with a small agency in town, at 18 I signed with Ford, and moved to Chicago, shortly after that I chose to base myself in Los Angeles, and then lived in London.  Now I am in Denver near my family, I’m very grateful for my career and longevity in modeling.

What do you love most about modeling?
The people I meet and the way that allows me to expand my opinions and thoughts.  I have met so many different people with varying perspectives, and I fully believe I was able to fine-tune my thoughts, mindsets, and skills through those interactions.

Aside from ceramics and modeling, what are some of your other passions?
I am very passionate about science, mental health, and exploring and sharing our physical world and our mental world as much as we can. 

I saw a video you did with SPARC Swimwear that mentioned that you were also getting your doctorate in acupuncture– So inspiring! Are you still pursuing that? If so, how has that journey been?
I was pursuing my doctorate in acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and unfortunately decided to postpone it because I needed to prioritize my mental health at that time.  I don’t want to give too many promises away, but I am working towards something I am excited about again and in a much better place to succeed!

Citing nature and landscapes as inspiration for you, you are obviously a lover of Mother Earth, as are we! What are some sustainability practices that are important to you?
I do my best to only purchase what I need (clothing, car, food, toiletries)

-Use items in my closet and household until they no longer serve the intended purpose of the purchase 

-Eat down my food every month so there is less food waste. I do the same for products. 

-I live really simply and try to use items in my house for multiple purposes. 

In addition to the above, I have reusable water bottles, reusable bags, and cloth paper towels. I live in a home that gets great natural light, so I only need it in the evening. I use open windows/fans over AC, fireplaces or candles over heaters, and I opt for candle light.

Any upcoming projects or anything on the horizon for you that you’d like to share?
I have an exciting project I have been working on for awhile now, and I will happily share that with you first when it is finished!

And lastly, we always love to ask, do you have any favorite Outerknown pieces/styles you love the most?
Oh, I thought you’d never ask! Here are the pieces I have been swooning over:

- The unisex Beachcomber Relaxed Jeans - Vintage blue and oh so yummy 

-Sun Shirt in Tawny Wood  

-Crescent Knit Tank in Harbor 

-Arvin Goods x Outerknown Plant Dye Socks

Keep up with Lauren as she continues to Find her Outerknown in her artwork and more!