Q&A:

1. Please introduce yourself! 

I’m Pedro Garcia, SoCal born and raised. I spend my days with clay in my hands, sketching in my notebook, or with a skateboard under my feet.

2. Your clay story: when and how did you first get into pottery? Can you remember your first pottery experience? Do you have any first memories that stick out?

I first got into pottery in high school around 2005, and I was hooked pretty fast. There was something about the smell of the ceramic studio and the feel of clay that just clicked. It felt so natural—and gave me a kind of confidence I didn’t really have at the time.

One of my first proud moments was making a jack-o’-lantern that got a ton of love. I still have it, and it makes a comeback every Halloween.

3. What forms do you make most, and what’s your style or go-to techniques/materials?

Hand-building is definitely my comfort zone, but even when I throw on the wheel, I tend to bring hand-building into the mix. My frog mugs and bowls are a good example—they’re playful, but still fully functional.

I love adding hand-painted details, pulling inspiration from classic cartoons and pinups. My style leans animated and cartoony, but always with a purpose—you can use it, not just look at it.

My process sits somewhere between “carefully planned” and “let’s see what happens.” I like precision, but I’m not afraid to pivot when the clay does its own thing—some of the best pieces come from those moments. As for materials, BMix has my heart—it’s soft and forgiving, but strong enough for larger builds.

4. What appeals to you about clay and what lessons has it taught you?

For me, working with clay is like meditation… just with a little more mess. I love taking sketches and ideas from my imagination and turning them into something tangible through ceramics.

More than anything, clay has taught me patience (whether I like it or not). It’s made me slow down, trust the process, and actually enjoy making—not just finishing.

5. How did you find Not Another Pottery Studio? Do you have any special moments, or favorite memories with other members / students?

When my wife and I moved to Eagle Rock a few years ago, we spent a lot of time walking around the neighborhood and checking out local shops. The moment I saw the “NAPS coming soon” sign, I got so excited—I’d been wanting to get my hands back into clay, and it felt like perfect timing.

I took my first class with Mimi and immediately fell in love with the people and the culture of the studio.

6. What advice would you give to someone starting out in pottery?

Don’t rush it. Clay remembers everything, so fighting it usually backfires.

Also, some of my favorite pieces have come from total “oops” moments that turned into something awesome. So take your time, trust the process, and have fun with it—that’s the whole point.

7. If we want to see more of you, your work (ceramic or other), where would we go? (If people can buy your work or you take commissions, let us know!)

You can find me on Instagram at @PGeeStudio, or visit PGeeStudio.com to shop my work or reach out about commissions.