This interview with Christine Mittermayr from Textpoterie is part of an interview series with women who feel as connected to nature as I do. Here, I speak with various women about their approach to nature and life.

Beautiful porcelain inspires | creates a moment of pause in everyday life

Please introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you and your career?

Hello, I'm Christine Mittermayr and I am a ceramist specializing in unique porcelain pieces. I create unique pieces and these can also be made according to your ideas and wishes. My handmade porcelain is often given as gifts for special occasions, but it also creates focal points in your own living space and provides the perfect setting for delicious dishes.

It always fascinates me how a lump of porcelain clay turns into special bowls, mugs, and plates. I model them with my hands, or form them on the potter's wheel.

You are welcome to browse my website and get inspired - to transform your home or your gifts into something special. I look forward to bringing your ideas to life and creating something unique for you.

Where are you from?

My home is in the Upper Mühlviertel, in northern Austria, where I live with my family. I was born right there, on an idyllic farm surrounded by gentle meadows and wide fields. This region is characterized by rushing forests and babbling brooks, which have still retained their natural charm.

The rich textile tradition of this area and the beautiful linen weaves produced in the local weaving mills inspire me. The craft and art of weaving have fascinated me since childhood and continue to accompany me in my own creative work today. Every piece I create reflects this.

I invite you to delve with me into the world of my inspiring home and discover the timeless beauty of linen weaving art.

What is your learned profession?

Already during my school days, I discovered my passion for clay in crafts class. Shaping and designing with clay brought me great joy. After graduating from school, I was fortunate to get an apprenticeship in a small ceramic manufactory in Oftering. There, I learned to throw on the wheel, to form handles for cups, and the art of glazing. It was a wonderful experience, also working with the talented women in that environment.

After a few years as a freelance occupational therapist, I eventually returned to my original learned profession. In 2013, I decided to take a break from being an occupational therapist. I cleared out the therapy materials from my practice and set up a potter's wheel instead. The climbing wall and ball pit were replaced with a kiln. My patients' waiting area transformed into a showroom where I display a table with my handcrafted unique porcelain pieces.

In my studio, I also regularly invite people to workshops in various formats. Since completing my training as a resilience coach in 2021, I also offer resilience training with a focus on creativity and pottery, where we create something special with our hands.

I am grateful that I was able to resume my creative profession and look forward to sharing my passion for pottery with others. It brings me great joy to help people strengthen their resilience through creative processes.

You work with porcelain and write about nature and landscape - why do you do that? 

Out of passion and because I enjoy it.

What inspired you to write a book? 

My surroundings, the Upper Mühlviertel, the people who live here, the businesses that exist here, the "lagom" in Mühlviertel dialect, and a writing workshop with Doris Dörrie in Bregenezerwald, where we wrote autobiographical texts. And then the encouragement from Julia Rumplmayr to write the book and the support from the "Leader Region Donau Böhmerwald" to be able to publish it. 

What does a "normal" day look like for you?

On a summer morning, just before 6:30, my routine begins: I prepare water for my tea, then swim a few laps in the refreshing natural pool. If my bare feet don't touch the wet grass, I reach for the garden hose and lovingly water the roses, the strawberries on the slope, and the radicchio in the raised bed. Then I take care of our cat Nino and enjoy my first sip of tea from one of my handmade porcelain mugs. In this quiet time before the start of everyday life, I find a moment of stillness and occasionally take time to write in my journal - whether to record my gratitude or to write down my thoughts. Sometimes I also read from the Luther Bible and let myself be touched by the inspiring words. Sometimes I also go for a morning walk with our son's dogs and enjoy nature.

Do you enjoy being in nature?

Yes, sometimes in the garden, in the forest, quick, short and longer walks with dogs, friends, my husband, or sometimes alone.

Do you also have a special favorite place or power spot - where do you like to be most? 

In nature, in the studio and in summer in my outdoor office, in the garden.

Do you have a recipe for us to live creativity more in everyday life?