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Creatives at Home: Lisa Russell in Her Potter's Studio
We take a look inside Lisa Russell's converted garage studio and find out how she works best at home
In our new series, we get to know some of Australia’s talented creatives and the innovative spaces that allow them to let their imaginations run wild
Lisa Russell is a professional potter, working out of the brightly lit airy double garage attached to her home in Brisbane. With 10 years’ experience making ceramics, she now runs her own business called Luna Ceramics. Lisa and her family moved into their battle-axe block home five years ago and embarked on extensive renovations to make it their own, including turning the empty garage into a working pottery studio.
When she isn’t busy being a mum, Lisa can be found hard at work in her design space, living out her dream as a full-time potter. “After years of stating ‘one day I will make a living from my art’, I am finally and actually doing it!” she says.
Creative Space at a Glance
Name: Lisa Russell of Luna Ceramics
Age: 43
Occupation: Potter
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
What’s made here: Functional stoneware and decorative ceramics for everyday use
Lisa Russell is a professional potter, working out of the brightly lit airy double garage attached to her home in Brisbane. With 10 years’ experience making ceramics, she now runs her own business called Luna Ceramics. Lisa and her family moved into their battle-axe block home five years ago and embarked on extensive renovations to make it their own, including turning the empty garage into a working pottery studio.
When she isn’t busy being a mum, Lisa can be found hard at work in her design space, living out her dream as a full-time potter. “After years of stating ‘one day I will make a living from my art’, I am finally and actually doing it!” she says.
Creative Space at a Glance
Name: Lisa Russell of Luna Ceramics
Age: 43
Occupation: Potter
Location: Brisbane, Queensland
What’s made here: Functional stoneware and decorative ceramics for everyday use
Many creatives don’t get the opportunity to pursue their passions full-time, and Lisa Russell acknowledges just how wonderful it is to be able to turn her passion into a successful career.
She aims to make ceramics that are well-designed and practical to use. “I believe that good food and drink can taste even better when consumed from an item made by hand with care and love,” she says.
She aims to make ceramics that are well-designed and practical to use. “I believe that good food and drink can taste even better when consumed from an item made by hand with care and love,” she says.
Five years ago when Lisa and her family bought their Brisbane home, her husband Sam had half of the garage space set up as his workshop, where he could pursue his love of DIY.
Gradually she encroached more and more on his side, until Sam was only left with a very small corner that wasn’t yet splattered with clay. “I have recently accomplished my dastardly plan to remove him from ‘my garage’ altogether,” laughs Lisa.
She has, however, allowed him to keep just a few of his tools in ‘her garage’, including his drill, hammer and Dremel. “He is right to feel slightly suspicious with this arrangement,” she admits.
Gradually she encroached more and more on his side, until Sam was only left with a very small corner that wasn’t yet splattered with clay. “I have recently accomplished my dastardly plan to remove him from ‘my garage’ altogether,” laughs Lisa.
She has, however, allowed him to keep just a few of his tools in ‘her garage’, including his drill, hammer and Dremel. “He is right to feel slightly suspicious with this arrangement,” she admits.
Lisa says she loves to work in the space throughout the year. With Brisbane’s warm climate, she enjoys having the two large roller doors and adjacent windows open to allow a great flow of air and light through the studio while she works.
The area right by the roller door is where she works at her wheel. It allows for plenty of natural light, while also being an ideal location for water to escape when she needs to hose down the floor. Lisa’s very thankful for this, as it’s reduced the recurrence of clay-dust footprints making pathways through the house. “Less time mopping means more time making,” she says.
While the renovations to the family home were quite extensive, the garage customisation was minimal. The aluminium windows were replaced with bespoke hardwood frames to match the ones in the main house, and Lisa painted the brickwork with white paint. She says was a rotten job, due to the textured surface of the brick, but the bright shade helps to make the space feel brighter.
She also had the kiln professionally wired in. “It’s the biggest one I could get on single phase power,” she explains.
Having the right lighting is very important when creating ceramics, as minor details can be easily missed without it. Lisa installed additional lighting in the ceiling to avoid such mishaps.
She is also a big fan of fairy lights, and their delicate glow adds a touch of warmth to this otherwise plain corner.
She is also a big fan of fairy lights, and their delicate glow adds a touch of warmth to this otherwise plain corner.
As with many workplace environments, it’s important to keep mementos of your loved ones around – even if they are just a few steps away. This dinosaur originally belonged to Lisa’s youngest son Oscar, who was ready to part with it.
“I couldn’t bear to get rid of it,” Lisa explains, “so I found him a special place in my studio holding my Luna sign on top of the kiln.”
“I couldn’t bear to get rid of it,” Lisa explains, “so I found him a special place in my studio holding my Luna sign on top of the kiln.”
The studio contains all of the practical pottery equipment Lisa needs, along with ample designated spaces for each stage of the making process. This desk area is predominantly used for glazing work.
It’s at her desk that Lisa also keeps a few bits and pieces that make her happy and provide inspiration, including feathers, empty bird’s nests, shells, photographs and driftwood.
“I always carry a sketchbook with me when I’m in the house or out and about, as this is really a space where I make,” says Lisa.
The small aqua bowl, on the bottom shelf of the repurposed wall cabinet, is the first bowl she ever threw on the wheel. It’s a constant reminder of how much her technique has improved.
“I always carry a sketchbook with me when I’m in the house or out and about, as this is really a space where I make,” says Lisa.
The small aqua bowl, on the bottom shelf of the repurposed wall cabinet, is the first bowl she ever threw on the wheel. It’s a constant reminder of how much her technique has improved.
When asked which items she simply couldn’t live without, Lisa’s quick to reply: “My kiln, my sturdy retro draftsman’s desk – which has been with me since I was 18 and at art school – and plenty of shelving.”
The main triumph she mentions overcoming is the very fact that this space actually exists, a studio space dedicated solely to her work.
Second to that, there was some difficulty in settling into a new routine where studio work became a priority over household chores. Especially since home is only a few metres away.
Thankfully though, she’s gotten used to the proximity of home and family, and appreciates the convenience.
“I love that it is attached to the house and I can have all the benefits of working from home. The kids can talk to me, I can put dinner on and then continue my work,” says Lisa.
Second to that, there was some difficulty in settling into a new routine where studio work became a priority over household chores. Especially since home is only a few metres away.
Thankfully though, she’s gotten used to the proximity of home and family, and appreciates the convenience.
“I love that it is attached to the house and I can have all the benefits of working from home. The kids can talk to me, I can put dinner on and then continue my work,” says Lisa.
Over in the house, Lisa uses her own creations in the kitchen. She made this butter dish after her husband continued to get frustrated with the butter going hard in the fridge. The dish keeps the butter fresh without refrigeration, so it can stay sitting out on the benchtop for up to a month.
TELL US
Do you have a creative space at home? Show us by posting a picture in the Comments section.
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TELL US
Do you have a creative space at home? Show us by posting a picture in the Comments section.
MORE
Creatives at Home: Two Architects in Their Backyard Office
How to Nurture Your Creative Side at Home
Creatives At Home: Tamara Armstrong in Her Painter’s Studio