Stephanie Dawn Matthias’ ceramics have an almost ethereal quality—like fragments of a dream, sculpted in moonlight. Each piece carries a quiet energy, echoing the whispers of the earth, the sea, and the sky in perfect harmony. Her work doesn’t merely occupy a space; it reshapes it, infusing it with warmth, nostalgia, and a gentle sense of wonder. Discovering her art feels less like a coincidence and more like finding something that was always meant for you.
I had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Stephanie on a custom mural for a client. Eager to learn how she transforms the essence of home into something tangible, I had the pleasure of interviewing her on a few things art, creativity and inspiration. Here’s what she said…
How did you get started in your ceramics and artistic endeavors?
I studied ceramics and photography in college. After school, I had a handful of artist assistant jobs which were really inspiring and gave me great insight into what it’s like to be a professional creative.
Where do you find your best inspiration?
Inspiration can truly come from anywhere if you’re paying attention. For me, I most often find inspiration in nature, my childhood memories, travel, interior design magazines, textiles, home stores and fashion.
Can you walk us through your creative process?
My creative process and style have evolved side by side- most notably, for me, is that the more I allow my creativity to be guided by my inner voice and what I love, the more successful and interesting my work becomes. These days I pay less and less attention to what other creatives are doing or trying to anticipate how a collection will be received and more to what can I make that I truly love and that I want to have around me. The more specific I am and the more personal my work is, the more I love it and the more my audience loves it also which is of course wonderful!
What do you hope people take away from your work?
I hope my creations bring joy and beauty to people’s lives. Objects that make us happy can invite us to have a pause in our day- a moment of recognition and a smile.
Are there any specific artists or movements that have influenced you?
My work is influenced by decorative arts, Fraktur (Pennsylvania Dutch folk art), Louise Bourgeois (incredible French artist), Makoto Kagoshima (amazing Japanese ceramicist), vintage floral textiles, antique British transferware, handmade lace, Downton Abbey, my vintage tea set collection, the dirndls my sisters and I wore as childrn in Germany and Austria, Anne of Green Gables novels.. Honestly, I could name a hundred other things.
What challenges have you faced along your journey?
My biggest challenge is time. I am never short on ideas or inspiration, but I constantly feel as though there aren’t enough hours in the day. I have two daughters and am a single mom so it’s just a lot to juggle logistically, which doesn’t always go hand in hand with the flow of the creative process.
What advice would you give to other creatives?
In terms of giving advice to other creatives, I think the most important thing is stay true to your voice. Follow the bread crumbs- meaning, pay attention to the little things that grab you and see where they take you. Go to what interests you personally- oftentimes the weirder and more specific you can be, the better your work will be. No one else in the whole world sees things the way you do so show the world how you see things. Don’t be afraid to take risks. These days I mostly see a lot of people making a lot of the same things, dressing the same way, thinking too similarly- we all need to get a little weirder, a little more uncomfortable, more us, more specific, more niche- we need more visual variation because that’s way more interesting and important.
What is your color inspiration in 2025?
My 2025 color inspiration is a rich brown that’s got a hint of burgundy in it.. I’m currently experimenting with my ceramics right now to see if I can find a glaze that’s in that world. Stay tuned!