Raising Sand Studio Was Founded in 2014
Danielle’s passion for ceramics took root early, sparked by the mentorship of Amber Steele, a high school art teacher whose love for the craft left a lasting impression. Danielle’s creative journey, however, has always been about more than the materials she works with—it’s about building connections and creating pieces that resonate on a deeply personal level.
Creative Foundations
Her story began to take shape as a freshman in high school when Danielle met Amber Steele, a first-year art teacher with an undeniable talent for ceramics and a passion for teaching that left a lasting impression. At the time, ceramics courses were typically reserved for older students, but Danielle and Amber forged a connection that transcended the usual boundaries. Recognizing Danielle’s keen interest and natural ability, Amber introduced her to the art of throwing on the wheel when she was just twelve years old.
Amber saw more than just potential in Danielle—she saw dedication. She went out of her way to nurture that spark, offering Danielle opportunities to practice beyond the classroom. What started as a structured class turned into lunch hours and free periods spent in the studio, where Danielle immersed herself in the intricacies of working with clay. Under Amber’s guidance, she began to refine her skills, developing a sense of rhythm and precision that came to define her work.
By her sophomore year, the art studio had become Danielle’s second home. It was more than a place to create; it was where her identity as an artist began to solidify. Danielle wasn’t just learning—she was sharing. As a teaching assistant, she guided her peers through demonstrations, from throwing clay on the wheel to crafting handles and mastering slab construction techniques. This role gave her a deeper understanding of her craft and a sense of fulfillment in passing on her knowledge.
Danielle’s passion for ceramics didn’t just flourish—it grew into something transformative. By her senior year, she had taken her love for the craft beyond the studio walls and turned it into action by founding the high school’s first-ever Empty Bowls initiative. Through this project, Danielle rallied her peers to create and sell handmade bowls, ultimately raising nearly $2,000 for the local food bank. It wasn’t just a milestone for her as a young artist but a testament to her commitment to using art as a force for good.
These early experiences were more than technical training—they were the foundation of a philosophy. Art, for Danielle, became a way to inspire, connect, and give back. Amber’s mentorship, paired with the creative and communal foundation laid during those formative years, continues to shape Danielle’s approach. Her work is still driven by the same purpose it was back then: to create pieces that are as impactful in their story as they are in their beauty.
Becoming a Master of Multiple Mediums
With a growing passion for the arts and creative exploration, Danielle went on to master multiple mediums while earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Idaho, including ceramics, mosaic sculptures, charcoal drawing, and oil painting. Each discipline allowed her to express a different facet of her artistic voice, while her work remained unified by a deep appreciation for the beauty of imperfection and the meditative rhythm of creation.
Whether shaping clay, piecing together intricate mosaics, or layering oil onto canvas, Danielle drew inspiration from the world around her, infusing each project with intention and meaning. Her artistry was rooted in a profound respect for the process itself—finding beauty in the unexpected, embracing the texture of life’s imperfections, and using her hands to transform abstract ideas into tangible forms.
This commitment to creativity and process eventually led Danielle to discover a new medium: the culinary arts. She realized that food, much like clay or paint, offered limitless opportunities for creative expression. Her approach to cooking mirrored her approach to art—intentional, grounded in exploration, and deeply connected to her surroundings.
Danielle’s passion for ceramics seamlessly transitioned into a fascination with plating, where she viewed each dish as a canvas and every ingredient as a tool to tell a story. The meditative rhythm of crafting a dish, from preparation to presentation, resonated with her artistic instincts. Just as she embraced imperfections in her ceramics, Danielle found beauty in the natural forms and textures of food—transforming them into visually stunning, edible works of art.
Her artistic sensibilities brought a unique perspective to the culinary world. She began experimenting with plating techniques that echoed her love for balance, contrast, and organic forms, often drawing inspiration from her previous work in other mediums. Danielle saw every plate as an opportunity to evoke emotion and connection, much like her ceramics or paintings. The parallels between her artistic practices and culinary creations became a hallmark of her work, bridging the gap between traditional fine art and the sensory experience of food.
The Origins of Raising Sand Studio
When it came time to name her studio, Danielle drew inspiration from a source as timeless and multifaceted as her art: music.
The name and philosophy behind Raising Sand Studio are deeply rooted in Danielle's passion for ceramics, drawing a parallel between the transformative process of pottery and the shifting, evolving nature of sand. Just as sand can be molded into clay, and clay into enduring works of art, the name reflects the studio’s commitment to creativity, growth, and transformation. In ceramics, the artist takes raw, formless material and, through careful shaping and firing, creates something timeless and meaningful. Similarly, Raising Sand Studio embodies this creative journey—turning ideas into tangible creations that carry the weight of intention and artistry, much like the process of crafting pottery itself.
The inspiration for the name also stems from Danielle’s deep admiration for the critically acclaimed album Raising Sand by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. For Danielle, the album captures the essence of collaboration and transformation—two principles at the heart of her work. Its haunting melodies and seamless blend of folk, country, and blues mirror her own creative process, where diverse influences come together to form something uniquely beautiful and emotionally resonant. This fusion of her love for ceramics and the evocative spirit of the album forms the foundation of Raising Sand Studio, a space dedicated to artistry, connection, and transformation.
Just as Plant and Krauss harmonized their distinct voices to create something greater than the sum of its parts, Danielle’s work brings together earth, fire, and artistry to craft ceramics that are both functional and visually stunning. The studio’s name reflects this same spirit of collaboration and evolution, where raw materials are transformed into meaningful pieces that tell stories and forge connections with those who experience them. Through Raising Sand Studio, Danielle celebrates the harmony of process and creativity, crafting art that feels as timeless as its name.
A Creative Studio Rooted in Connection
Raising Sand Studio is a deep reflection of Danielle’s creative philosophy. Every project is crafted with intention, balancing form and function while celebrating the natural variations that make every project so special. Danielle draws inspiration from music, nature, and the stories of the people who use her work, ensuring that every creation feels personal and meaningful.
For Danielle, the act of creating is a deeply meditative process. The studio is a sanctuary where she can experiment, embrace imperfection, and let intuition guide her. Much like the music of Raising Sand, her work feels timeless, evoking a sense of groundedness and emotional resonance.
Carrying the Name Forward
The name Raising Sand Studio symbolizes growth and evolution. Just as sand shifts and reshapes with time, Danielle’s artistry continues to evolve. She embraces new techniques, explores diverse styles, and constantly finds ways to push the boundaries of her craft. Her work is a celebration of the process—a reminder that the journey of creation is as important as the final piece.
With each piece she crafts, Danielle carries forward the spirit of Raising Sand—a celebration of collaboration, transformation, and timeless beauty. Through her work at Raising Sand Studio, she invites others to experience the magic of handmade ceramics and connect with the stories they hold.
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to hold a piece of art infused with music, memory, and meaning, Raising Sand Studio offers a glimpse into that world—a place where creativity knows no limits and every creation has a story to tell.
Comments