Josie Valby

Hi! I'm Josie. I was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. I’m currently attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, studying ceramics and art education. I’ve been working with clay since I was around 10 years old, and it remains the foundation of my creative practice.
My work is often described as evoking a sense of familiarity with the natural world. I draw inspiration from organic forms like trees, flowers, and the human body, as well as the interactions I observe between people and their environments, both natural and industrial. These influences show up in my use of flowing shapes, textured surfaces, and layered, tactile forms.