Michelle Leach is a ceramic artist based out of Birmingham, AL.  Michelle creates from her home studio-a welcoming space for anyone wanting to learn and explore the process of creating with clay. 

Michelle holds an Art degree from Mississippi College, but she credits her love for pottery to the years she spent as a High School ceramics teacher.  Wehn she is not creating custom pieces for her dearly loved customers or preparing pieces to sell at Birmingham's finest farmers market, Pepper Place, Michelle also teaches classes and private lessons in her studio to those of all ages. Michelle is the wife of 16 years to her husband, Buster and mom to 5 children-her ultimate pride and joy.

As for Michelle's philosophy on creating ceramic art, she finds value in all that the process represents. In each stage of the process there are deep connections to life and spirituality. It's difficult to be wedging clay, for instance, and not think about the painful, yet necessary, journey towards vulnerability, the purging of all the toxic and destructive beliefs creating space for new life and creation to take place. Not only is the work deeply spiritual, but it is also a way to connect mind and body. Many who come to learn are on their own journey toward healing from various trauma. The very process of centering clay on the wheel-a very critical part of learning to throw-requires a sort of physical grounding that forces the mind and body to work together and is a good practice for being present in the "here and now", allowing healing to be possible.

For centuries, pottery vessels have been used as a metaphor for our spiritual understanding-God as the potter and we are the clay in his hands. Every part of the process, no matter the pressure, the pushing and pulling, manipulating, carving in or out, the temperature of the heat, are all necessary for the integrity of the finished piece. And even if all the steps are taken, pieces still crack and fall apart, having to be made all over again. The reminders are constant for the potter. Be patient with the process. The work cannot be rushed. There are no short cuts. Don't forget to breathe. Keep your feet on the ground.