Meet the Artist:
Lillie Grace Hodges
Potter | Santa Barbara, CA
Clay as Teacher & Anchor
Lillie discovered ceramics during a time of deep anxiety and uncertainty, when clay became more than just a material—it became her teacher. Its raw, grounding presence guided her through personal transformation, offering both a sense of agency and a pathway toward healing. Clay invited her to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover her innate creativity and strength.
Inspired by nature’s patterns and textures, as well as historical craft traditions, Lillie’s artistic journey is defined by curiosity and experimentation. Her work explores the tactile history embedded within ceramics, transforming simple materials into lasting symbols of shared human experience.
A Thoughtful Blend of Tradition and Innovation
Lillie’s ceramics thoughtfully bridge traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics. Hand-building allows her intuitive interaction with clay—through coiling, slab work, and intricate imprinting. She embraces raku firing for its unpredictability, viewing each dynamic glaze and crackle as reflections of life's fragility, resilience, and impermanence.
Currently, Lillie is researching crystalline glazes, captivated by their beauty and durability for public installations. She continually explores new ways ceramics can interact dynamically with light, glass, and sound, deepening sensory engagement and inviting reflection.
Lillie's work has been recognized in several exhibitions and awards, including a First Place honor at the Lincoln Gallery National Fine Art Show. Her involvement in community-driven projects such as Maker House and her upcoming collaborations with Elings Park and Dignity Moves highlight her commitment to art as a vehicle for social impact.
Creating Spaces for Connection
At the heart of Lillie's practice is a commitment to authenticity, resilience, and connection. Each piece she crafts invites mindful interaction, whether as intimate vessels for personal contemplation or as interactive installations fostering community engagement. Her ceramics serve as tactile reminders of calm, curiosity, and the quiet strength inherent in nature and ourselves.
Through her art, Lillie offers grounding and inspiration—creating moments where people can pause, reflect, and reconnect in an ever-changing world.
Deepen your connection with Lillie’s ceramics