McDaniel, Brit

Born in 1985 and shaped by a childhood of instability, movement and change, I have always viewed the world through a lens of exploration and adaptability. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from the University of Memphis, where my passion for creating and understanding art began to flourish. In 2013, I founded Paper & Clay, a production studio in Memphis that quickly gained recognition for its unique approach to ceramic design and use of color in my glazes. As a first-generation college student, my journey has been marked by determination and a desire to break boundaries, culminating in features in prestigious publications such as Southern Living, New York Magazine, and The New York Times Wirecutter. Throughout my career, I have shared my insights on the intersection of art and commerce, lecturing at the University of Memphis for six semesters under the guidance of Beth Edwards and presenting at TACA on the relationship between art and business. My work has garnered accolades, including being a Runner-Up in the Garden & Gun Made in the South Awards, and I have had the privilege of collaborating with esteemed homewares brands like Anthropologie and West Elm. In 2023, I made the decision to sell Paper & Clay, allowing me to downsize and refocus on my personal ceramic design work.
I relocated to Mountain View in September 2023, where I now work from my home studio nestled in the
wooded Ozarks. Here, I am reconnecting with my creative roots and exploring new dimensions in my work, driven by the beauty of my relationship to my surrounding. My journey continues as I embrace the freedom to create art that reflects my experiences and insights, always focused of the balance between form and function.