You need to meet Gretchen.

Ceramicist, tableware designer, wife, mother of three and warm hostess Gretchen Murchison has emerged as one of our community’s most sought-after creatives.  Since launching her career with her signature “Bloom” bowls in 2017, she has forged collaborations with retailers, designers and fellow artists throughout the south and continues to experiment with forms inspired by florals, water and natural elements.  Her pieces are designed to be both beautiful and functional as vessels, serving ware and home accents that draw friends and family around beautiful tablescapes and appointed spaces in the home.

Gretchen’s Natchitoches roots run deep, and a childhood spent exploring the woods, creeks, ponds and pastures of the parish continues to inspire her work, as does her love of the Gulf Coast and the native plants and creatures that inhabit the area behind her Cane River home.

Gretchen and her husband Tommy married in 1998 and began their family the following year. After several years as a homemaker and volunteer, she picked up a camera to resume a previous interest in photography and enrolled at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches to pursue a degree in Fine and Graphic Art.  There she discovered a new medium that came to life in her hands:  ceramics.  She concluded her degree with a spectacular senior show where she unveiled the first pieces of the graceful Bloom collection.

Since then, she collaborated with New Orleans tableware designer Beatriz Ball on several pieces, as well producing her own original collections.  Among those are custom pieces commissioned by interior designers and private collectors and a commemorative vase for the Natchitoches Spring Arts Festival Queen. In November 2024, Gretchen opened her light-filled home studio and gallery overlooking Cane River, where she often works in the company of her dog, in view of the scenic waterway and its inhabitants. 

Earlier this year, Gretchen collaborated with Brett Alan Garfinkel, chair of Northwestern State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, to present an inventive modern dance concert, Modern in Motion XII, at Riverside Reserve, a historic, renovated warehouse on Cane River that has become a popular event space. With Gretchen’s pieces thoughtfully staged throughout the venue, the choreography intentionally reflected the ripples and fluidity of the sculptural forms as dancers moved throughout the space -- the bloom brought to life. At the conclusion, Gretchen was honored with induction into the School of Creative and Performing Arts Hall of Fame. 

Gretchen took time to visit with me to discuss her work, becoming an entrepreneur and what’s next for her career as an artist. 

When you first feel connected to ceramics? 

My first exposure to ceramics as an art form was in my ceramics one class at Northwestern. I immediately fell in love with the tactile nature of working with clay. The connection I have with clay is definitely linked to how much I enjoyed outdoor play as a child.  

How has your career grown since you opened your studio?

Since opening the studio in 2024, I have been able to maintain a consistent workflow. For me, having a dedicated workspace makes creation and production more efficient and offers more accessibility. I am able to offer gallery viewing appointments for potential patrons, and schedule commission consultations for clients. 

The Modern in Motion collaboration was a huge success.  Can you talk about your other collaborations?

I was very honored to be a part of Modern in Motion earlier this year. It was such an exciting collaborative challenge to pair the visual fluidity of my static art with the actual fluidity of motion through dance.  I look forward to the possibility of future dance/ceramic art collaborations.

Another notable collaboration I have worked on is designing two different tableware lines for the international tableware company Beatriz Ball, New Orleans. The first design line for Beatriz Ball was modeled after the body of work I produced for my senior exhibition in 2016.

Was induction into the Hall of Fame a surprise? 

I was completely taken by surprise. The initial announcement was made at the Modern in Motion Gala, and I nearly missed hearing it due to acoustics at that moment. I was, and still am, overwhelmed and honored to be selected by the department leaders from whom I’ve garnered wisdom and who inspire me. I am truly humbled to be inducted along with so many accomplished fellow artisans. 

Can you talk about going back to school as a non-traditional student?

Going back to school as a nontraditional student was one of the best decisions of my life, and also one of the most challenging. I knew I wanted to pursue and creative life and build a business. The best way for me to begin was with an education. There are many pathways to success, education being a cornerstone regardless of its format.

I was very doubtful in the beginning but was spurred on by the encouragement from those closest to me. I pursued my education while raising a family and starting a business. In that stage of my life, I didn’t have time to waste and my found my intense focus to be a gift. I found myself absorbing and applying everything during those nine semesters. Yes nine. I had to start from scratch pursuing my degree because I lacked the needed focus as a traditional college student when I was younger. 

When did you decide to turn your art into a business? 

I have always been a creative person, dabbling in creative hobbies and crafts. My favorite books as a child were anything about animals and the Childcraft Make and Do Craft books.

They were mine, too!

I think it was Volume 13. The need for me to work with my hands is necessary.

I initially went back to school for digital media because I have a creative background in photography. However, I did not enjoy sitting behind a computer to get my work done. After I found my connection to ceramics, other than family and friendships, there was nothing else that gave me such peace, purpose and meaning. I was able to convey my creative thought and storytelling through clay.

I believe it’s out of this need to create that my art business was born. The business side allows me the opportunity to share my creative thoughts with an audience. After presenting my work through my senior exhibition, there was still an interest from the community to work. I continued to design and work from home on my dining room table. Then, I’d drive my greenware to Northwestern where I borrowed the kiln. I worked like this until for a couple of years, until I was able to have my own kiln and studio. I’ve now have had my kiln for five years and my studio has been open a year and a half. I’ve been practicing professionally for seven years.

What are some lessons you’ve learned as a businesswoman? 

Working in a career that I love offers great reward and feels like an extension of self.  As an art entrepreneur, I make my own hours, but there are no days off. [Laughs]  But truthfully, most of the time even when I’m not in the studio creating, my brain is thinking of design ideas I want to create.

Fifty percent of success in life is reached by just showing up. Half of my success comes from dedication to the practice. I keep to a schedule and work in the clay every day. I am most successful by keeping a steady practice.

 How do you connect with the retailers and designers that carry your work?

There are several ways I have connected with retailers and designers over the years. Some are through word of mouth while some connections have been made traditionally through submitting a bio and portfolio. 

Gretchen's work was featured in a fall 2025 solo exhibition, "Rippled Ruched and Fractured," to celebrate her induction into Northwestern State University's CAPA Hall of fame.

First, I like to identify where I’d like my art to be seen or made available. Looking online or local magazine publications is a great source. Then I will research that retailer, designer or gallery to confirm my choices. Once I have identified the optimal location, I will go through the proper channels to submit my work proposal, then establish contact and create a relationship. I also like to use Instagram and social media platforms as a marketing tool for my work and business. It is a great way to make business connections. 

What are some additional creative outlets that you pursue? 

In addition to ceramics, some of my creative outlets are painting, watercolor and mixed media, photography and writing. I also, am a co-founder of an all women’s Mardi Gras Krewe where I get to put to good use my party planning and crafting skills.  In my downtime, I enjoy reading spending time with friends and traveling with my husband to the beach with our dog and children. 

To view Gretchen’s work, visit her website:  https://www.gretchenmurchisonceramics.com/.  You can also follow her on Instagram @gretchen_murchison_ceramics and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gretchen.s.murchison.

This Bloom bowl features a jelly fish design hand painted using gold luster and a pointillism technique.