Inside the World of Ceramic Artist Sara Winkle: Pieces with Heart and Story

In a world full of fast trends and mass-produced everything, there’s something quietly magical about stumbling across work that feels truly personal, hand-touched, heartfelt, and made to last. That’s how we felt when we first came across Sara Winkle’s ceramics at Je Suis Sara.

Her pieces don’t just look beautiful—they feel like they’ve lived a little, like they carry a story with them.

We’ve been following Sara’s journey for a while now, and each new piece she shares seems to hold something honest and deeply human. Maybe it’s the soft curves, the gentle textures, or the way every imperfection feels intentional. Whatever it is, her work invites you to slow down, to look a little closer, and to feel a little more connected.

In this conversation, we get to step into Sara’s world—learning more about her creative process, the thoughtful philosophy behind her practice, and how she’s built such a distinct and soulful presence in the world of contemporary ceramics. We’re so excited to share her story with you.

With your background in graphic design, animation, and painting, what pulled you toward ceramics, and when did you know it was your thing?

I had my first experience with ceramics when I was around sixteen during an internship in Germany. I was instantly drawn to the medium, the meditative but tactile way of creating.

It's what I considered proceeding with at that point because I knew instantly that my heart was in it, but knowing that it would be very challenging to have a career in the ceramic arts with a secure income, I decided to venture out into the digital arts.

Taking that path as a career choice led me to the U.S, where I started working with some amazing and talented people on a variety of projects. I got into motion graphics and design, and for the past eighteen years or so, I’ve been doing that and simultaneously nurturing another creative outlet on the side. Painting and photography, and then I was drawn back to clay again about nine years ago when I started volunteering at a local clay studio in California. Since then, it has been my main creative outlet. _

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Your pieces have such a unique quality. How would you describe your artistic voice, and what influences or experiences have shaped the soulful aesthetic I see in your shop?

In a wider sense, my work is driven by nature, beauty, and the female form.

My sculptural pieces are often a means to process experiences. Emotionally, the work with clay is healing, like any artistic expression, and it helped me through the most challenging times of my life. Purely aesthetically, the ceramics I create are influenced by my work as a designer and illustrator. I draw color sensibility and inspiration for form from that.

Can you walk us through your creative process—from the initial idea to the finished piece—and share what techniques or materials help you achieve that distinct look?

I often draw out initial ideas on paper. If the work is sculptural and for a show, there is often a theme, and I will explore ideas and form based on that. I am more experimental with those pieces and often use a combination of throwing and hand-building techniques to build larger vessels. I use the pieces as my canvas to apply a sgraffito technique - I paint with slip and pigments on a contrasting clay body and then carve into the piece.

I use this technique for sculpture and also for pieces in my collection that I sell in stores on a wholesale basis.

Muse - Functional art plate

Are there specific pieces in your collection that hold special stories or emotions for you? Maybe a favorite one that feels particularly personal? Maybe one inspired by the Pacific Northwest?

There are a few plate designs I created that I based on an inspirational woman in my life, and also have meaning because I created them during a time I felt connected to them.

Many pieces of my functional ware go back to my time in California. 

I also created some larger vessels for an amazing project in Italy last year I am so excited about. They have special meaning because these were sculptures I was asked to build with total freedom, the only direction being the space where they were going to be placed.

My family and I got to travel to Puglia in Italy, later on to enjoy the beautiful space, and it was an amazing experience.

Beyond that, only small things right now, I have two new cup designs I created recently that are just about to launch on my site, which I am excited about!

In a world overflowing with ceramic artists and mass-produced goods, how do you carve out your own space and stay true to what makes your work uniquely “you”?

For me, creating in general and working with clay is an essential way of expression and finding a place to “be” in this world. It’s a means to find stillness and step away from a lot of the stuff that’s going on in the world that I find disturbing.

Not in a sense of escapism, but to create in order to restore and transform challenges into something beautiful and joyful.

As far as other artists go, I love to get inspired by that, but at the same time, I try not to pay too much attention. It's a wonderful starting point to look at other work, take an idea, but then experiment and build onto that and return to yourself to create from a place that feels true to yourself. _ Art sparks creativity and inspires new ideas. Engaging with various art forms can boost your imagination and reduce stress, promoting relaxation. Discover more in this article.

What’s been one of the toughest challenges you’ve faced as a ceramic artist, and how did you navigate it to keep growing?

Finances. It’s definitely the biggest challenge and always will be for creators. 

For me, the way to make it work is to split my time between work as a commercial artist and work in the clay studio. It’s an intense shift of pace, but I am very lucky to be able to do that to support myself and my family.

Balancing creativity with the business side must be a juggling act. How do you manage creating, marketing, and selling your work?

I am lucky to have some experience with marketing, photography etc, because of the other line of work that I am doing, so I am able to do a good portion of that by myself, and I enjoy that part.

Have you found any standout strategies—whether through social media, pop-ups, or other channels—that have helped you connect with your audience and sustain your practice?

That part is ever changing and unfortunately faster every day. Hyper-focusing on the social media aspect can be very exhausting. 

I recently found that reconnecting with my local community and venturing out to connect with other artists through group shows in other cities, while also continuing to work on my digital presence, works best. Beyond that, trades can work great. I occasionally have businesses or other artists reach out, and that often has the potential to lead to collaborations or custom work orders. Group shows aren’t necessarily the most lucrative, but it’s a great way to get out there, see your work in beautiful spaces, and meet people. It’s the most rewarding to me as a creator.

Photo by John Dang

When someone brings one of your pieces into their home, what do you hope they feel or experience?

I am always so happy to receive photos and messages from people who have purchased a piece. No matter if it’s a larger sculptural piece or a mug, just knowing that someone likes a piece enough to enjoy their coffee in the morning in or to place their flowers in. To know my work brings joy to someone else is the best feeling.

Looking forward, what’s next for Je Suis Sara? Are there new shows, techniques, or dreams you’re excited to dive into?

I have a group show coming up at Shop and Art Gallery And Friends on Saturday, July 19, and I am excited to participate in that. At And Friends, you find joyfully curated works of art and goods for your home. Beyond that, I always have the dream to be picked up by a gallery and to create a collection of larger vessels, to have them displayed somewhere in a solo show. Dream dreams! :) 

Sara Winkle’s ceramics are more than just objects; they’re full of life and heart. Each piece, shaped by her hands, feels real and invites you to slow down, notice, and appreciate the beauty in the imperfect. As she keeps creating, inspiring, and chasing big dreams, we’re excited to see what’s next. Thanks, Sara, for letting us into your world!

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