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LABOR OF LOVE X Heather Knight
February Capsule Spotlight
Heather Knight is a ceramic artist based in Savannah, Georgia, and the founder of Element Clay Studio. Her work is rooted in the natural world, florals, fungi, oceanic textures, stone, and the quiet landscapes that have shaped her. She creates hand-sculpted porcelain and stoneware pieces, ranging from intimate tabletop forms to large-scale wall installations, all with a focus on texture, movement, and refined simplicity.
Tell us a little about yourself!
I first fell in love with clay in high school, and years later, returning to pursue my art degree became one of the most meaningful decisions of my life. That dedicated time to learn, explore, and deepen my craft helped crystallize the direction my work has taken ever since.
Over the years, my style has evolved into something much more intentional. I’ve pared back my palette, tightened my collections, and focused on creating pieces that feel calm, sculptural, and deeply connected to nature. My process is slow and meticulous; each piece is shaped by hand, and that quiet, focused work is where I feel most at home.
Today, my pieces live in homes and spaces around the world, collected by people who value thoughtful design and objects made with intention. Whether I’m building a new collection or working on a large installation, my goal is always the same: to create work that invites stillness, sparks curiosity, and brings a sense of beauty and presence into a space.
What first drew you to ceramics? Where did you get started?
I was first drawn to ceramics in high school, when my family was living in Arizona. I fell in love with throwing functional pottery on the wheel, something I rarely do anymore, but it was the initial spark. My family moved often when I was growing up, and I’d try to find a pottery class wherever we landed. When I couldn’t, I kept a bag of clay at home just to have something to work with.
From the very beginning, the ceramics studio felt like home. My early pieces weren’t particularly impressive, but I could sit at the wheel for hours, completely absorbed, tuning out everything else. Clay had, and still has, a grounding, almost magical quality for me.
The studio remains my sanctuary. It’s the place where I return to myself, where the noise quiets and the work becomes a conversation between my hands and the material. That feeling is what drew me in all those years ago, and it’s what keeps me here today.
“It reminded me why I do what I do: to create something that feels alive, intentional, and bigger than any single piece.”
How has your artistic style evolved?
My artistic style has become more refined and intentional over the years. Early in my career, I was focused on producing as much work as I could manage, simply building skill, finding my footing, and learning through volume. As I’ve evolved, I’ve slowed my pace and shifted my attention toward craftsmanship, nuance, and restraint.
I’ve learned to make more space for experimentation, allowing myself to explore new forms and collections without the pressure of outcome. That openness has shaped some of my most meaningful work.
Over time, I’ve also pared back my palette, gradually phasing out color and letting form, texture, and material lead. My collections have tightened, my process has become more meticulous, and my work now reflects a clarity of vision that only comes with time.
It feels less like adding on and more like distilling, refining my voice until it feels unmistakably my own.
Can you give us an idea of what an average day in the studio is like?
My studio days always begin with a bit of ritual. I come in, tidy my space, and ease into the morning with an audiobook or a business podcast. Once the studio feels settled, I process orders and prepare any pieces that need to be shipped out. Clearing that logistical layer helps me shift fully into the creative side of my day.
From there, I’m usually at my work table for hours, sculpting. It’s the most time-intensive part of my practice, and also the most meditative. Because I work from home, my day has a comfortable rhythm, I’ll run inside for an espresso or a quick snack, then settle back into making work.
What was one of your favorite projects and why?
One of my favorite projects to date is actually the installation I just completed. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a Judy Chicago exhibition in New York, and it stopped me in my tracks. Her large-scale installations and the depth of her work had a power and presence that stayed with me long after I left the museum. That experience sparked the idea to create a full wall of florals, an immersive, sculptural landscape.
What I didn’t realize at the time was how long it would take to bring that vision to life. Over the next two years, I spent thousands of hours sculpting individual pieces; it was truly a labor of love.
Seeing the final installation come together felt incredibly rewarding. It was the first time a concept I had carried so clearly in my mind for so long existed exactly as I imagined it. It reminded me why I do what I do: to create something that feels alive, intentional, and bigger than any single piece.
February 6–13
A piece from Heather Knight’s Coeur collection is being given away on Instagram.
What does education mean to you (and has that been a core component of your evolution as an artist)?
My grandmother used to say that your education is the one thing no one can ever take from you, and that stayed with me. I was already in my mid-twenties and had built a career when I decided to go back to school for my art degree. Having real life experience under my belt gave me a deeper appreciation for what that time truly meant.
Education, for me, wasn’t just about acquiring skills. It was about having dedicated space to focus, to experiment, to fail, and to grow. It allowed me to immerse myself in my craft with intention and come out the other side prepared, not just as a maker, but as an artist with a clear sense of direction.
What role does fashion style play in the work you do?
Fashion plays a quieter—but very intentional—role in my work. In the studio, my wardrobe is minimal and utilitarian. I like to feel put together every day, even if it’s just a flattering T-shirt and jeans. There’s something about starting the day with a sense of ease and confidence that translates directly into how I create.
What is your favorite piece from your Marcella Capsule?
I think it's a tie between the Geneva Sweatshirt and the Georgia Pant!
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