DARN x Friends - Say Hello to Alice Johnson

A pro at creating wobbly pots, ceramic bits n bobs and pottery pets, Alice Johnson is based between London and Stroud.

Studying simultaneously at the Royal College of Art but never bumping into one another, DARN founder Amelia first met Alice virtually as they flirted on each other's work through the gram. Alice's wobbly hand drawn style is translated across different mediums, from ceramics and pottery to digital artwork and her own collection of odds and ends which are a joy to browse on her feed.

For DARN Alice has created a selection of plates and bowls in all shapes and sizes...

1. What is your idea of success?

If what I make can bring some kind of joy to someone – or even just a grin – then I know I’ve achieved what I set out to do! Life, especially in the last couple of years has been a bit miserable so if my work can somehow brighten someone’s day, then job done. I try to have a bit of a sense of humour and playfulness in my work so hope that comes across. 

Would also love to have a dog, feel that would be a real success. And a house would be nice too – with a studio in the garden. Maybe a hot tub on the roof of the studio that could be heated by the heat of the kiln – now there’s a thought!

2. Have you had any pinch-me moments so far from your work?

I think most days are pinch-me moments really. We are taught throughout school and in society generally that we have to get “proper jobs” and do sensible subjects. I often felt that “arty” more creative jobs aren’t taken as seriously at school, so the fact I am making a living from what I make is often a pinch-me moment. I felt for a long time that I had to prove people wrong when they’d say “but what job can you get with that”, well here we are. Hopefully it won’t all come crashing down after saying that – hope I’ve not jinxed it. 

3. What was the last thing you read?

I am sadly not a natural reader. It took me about 6 months to get through Rachel Kusk’s “Second Place”, I have a really bad habit of doing what you are not meant to do and falling for books with nice covers and that has a lovely cover! There’s a Japanese word Tsundoku – “taking joy in buying books but letting them pile up in one's home without reading them”. I definitely suffer from this. Love the smell of new books rather than reading them. 

I have, however, just started reading Bob Mortimer’s autobiography “And Away…”, my favourite man in the world. 

4. Who do you admire and look up to?

I know it’s a bit cringe to say this but my mum! Biggest legend I know. She is an accountant – which is extremely handy (thanks mum), and I think growing up seeing her work for herself and work so hard planted something in me to do the same. Definitely not in accounting though: back in the day there were so many tears around the kitchen table struggling with maths homework.  Sticking with clay. 

There are too many artists and creatives I admire and look up to name – that’s one blessing of Instagram for sure, that there is this network of creative people doing something amazing. It can often be a bit overwhelming but it’s nice to know you’re in the same boat as everyone else. Even though sometimes it feels like you’ve fallen overboard and have to tread water. 

5. What is your favourite quote or phrase?

Maybe referring back to question 3 – don’t judge a book by its cover, but as previously stated a rule I don’t follow. 

I have a bit of a thing for idioms at the moment – made a series of works on them earlier this year and want to make more, here are some of my favourites that have been quite relevant in the last couple of years of the pandemic -

The straw that broke the camel’s back
The elephant in the room
Bite off more than you can chew
Don’t count your chicken’s before they hatch
You can’t have your cake and eat it
I could go on and on…

6. What do you reach for or where do you go (both physically and mentally) when you need to relax?

To be plonked on the sofa watching telly. Preferably at home home with some food nearby. Home home is near Stroud in Gloucestershire, and I love going back, find it easy to switch off there, maybe too easily. You know, sometimes you just need a good old plod in a field, nice bit of greenery works wonders. You can take the girl out the countryside…and all that. 

7. Tell us about your dream holiday, you can go and do whatever you want, money is no option!...

This question is really hard. At this point a holiday anywhere would be welcomed. 

I am desperate to go back to Copenhagen but feel I should choose something else for this. Not to sound too “Eat, Pray, Love” but going round the world or maybe just one continent (don’t want to take the piss with my carbon footprint) trying the best food ever, not just posh stuff just the best stuff – most delish with personal stories attached to them. I get a lot of joy from eating. I do like my home comforts though, so ashamedly would want to stay in beautiful “aesthetical” houses that would give Modern House a run for their money. Something straight out of a Pinterest board. 

I am not very good at decision making so would definitely need a holiday planner and would want to bring friends too. Maybe while I am doing this drop in on lots of ceramicists and visit their studios and make alongside them so have little reminders of each place I go to – feel objects are tangible memories a lot of the time. I also find it impossible to pack light so would it be possible to have a Mary Poppins style bag? Where I can fit everything in and not weigh a tonne.

Going to The Eames house in California is on the list at some point too. 

I would also love to sod off somewhere sunny for a couple of months and have a little studio in a shed or something and just play with clay and see what I come up with. 

See what I mean about not being able to make a decision….