The Muddy Muse: Dreaming Big For Over 30 Years
The Muddy Muse's journey began the year Laurel Herbert graduated from high school, when her mom signed the two of them up for a beginner ceramics course. Laurel made her first piece of pottery at 18 before pursuing a degree in fine arts in coastal North Carolina, mastering her skills as a potter and chasing the creative spark she could feel within her. Over 30 years later, Laurel continues to create intricate, heartfelt, and useful ceramic works for the home and garden, as well as fine art and jewelry. The Muddy Muse is operated entirely out of the artist's own home, where all pieces featured in the shop have been lovingly sculpted, painted, and fired. It may not be easy to run a pottery studio out of a family living space, complete with a musician husband and two creative whirlwind daughters, but that has never stopped Laurel from pursuing her passion.
Alongside her passion for creating her own art, Laurel has worked with dozens of local communities in NC to bring free and low-cost arts education to areas with limited access to these programs. Using recycled and repurposed materials, Laurel creates and leads engaging educational projects that teach kids about art history, creative thinking, problem solving, and using a wide variety of tools and motor skills.
Alongside her passion for creating her own art, Laurel has worked with dozens of local communities in NC to bring free and low-cost arts education to areas with limited access to these programs. Using recycled and repurposed materials, Laurel creates and leads engaging educational projects that teach kids about art history, creative thinking, problem solving, and using a wide variety of tools and motor skills.