studio scenes: meet the artists behind harlow

harlow officially launched in November 2024, and we figured it was about time you got to know the people behind the art. We're Ashley and Jim—artists, partners (in life and our craft), and the hands behind every piece that leaves our studio. Here’s the story about how harlow came to be, what inspires us, and why we’re so passionate about creating art for your home.

how harlow started

Like many creative stories, ours began unexpectedly. We’ve always been makers in some form: Ashley’s a five-time published women's fiction and romance author, and Jim’s a musician and game designer. But our day jobs in tech demanded more of our time and mental energy. Before long, it felt like our creativity was slipping away—especially when most of our outlets existed behind even more screens.

We needed a break from blue light and keyboards. We wanted something hands-on and tangible. The solution: a simple date-night pottery class that changed everything.

"I’m not sure if it was the wine or what," Jim laughs, "but my brain finally shut off for more than a second when I first touched clay. It was like everything else faded out."

That moment—the quiet, the focus, the way our hands shaped something real—was the beginning of harlow, even if we didn’t know it yet.

what inspires us

We both grew up in small beach towns, and that part of our story is stitched into everything we make. The rhythm of waves, the salt in the air, the way the horizon seems to stretch forever. The beach is our happy place, and it naturally seeps into our color palettes, organic shapes, and textures. Our work is often calm and coastal, but always with a touch of vibrant, quirky personality, because that’s who we are.

But inspiration isn’t just about where we’re from. It’s also about what we’ve been through. For years, we lived in a world of screens and deadlines, building careers in tech that often felt almost imaginary. Art was the opposite: tactile, grounding, and refreshingly human. It became our way to disconnect from shareholder metrics and reconnect with ourselves.

Another turning point came in 2021, when we both learned we had ADHD (and later, PTSD). Suddenly, so many things about how our minds worked made sense. Instead of masking or trying to fit into a version of life that didn’t feel right anymore, we leaned in. Art gave us the space to slow down, embrace our quirks unapologetically, and create from a place that felt honest.

harlow is the result of all these life experiences that make our work distinctly us.

what makes harlow different

In a world of soulless AI art, mass production, and endless replication, we celebrate the quirks. Every piece we create carries the tiny details that make it human—the finger impressions, the variation in brushstrokes, the sarcastic humor, the emotion.

"The quirks and character are what make each piece special," Ashley says. "It’s not about flawless perfection. It’s about the human experience behind the art—every good moment, hard time, imperfection, and joyful memory—and finding someone else who connects with it. Someone who sees a piece of themselves in it and thinks, 'That's so me.'"

When you bring a piece of harlow into your home, you’re not just buying décor. You’re inviting a little bit of that story, and that human connection, into your space.

where we're headed

We’ll always be rooted in ceramics and original art, but we’re explorers at heart. Trying new things keeps us learning, keeps our work fresh, and honestly, makes the journey fun. Right now, that means experimenting with candles, greeting cards, notebooks, game design, and other creative projects.

Being connected with us and following our journey means you’ll never quite know what’s coming next. But one thing’s certain: it’ll be human, it’ll be made with care, and it’ll be something you won’t find anywhere else.

join us behind the scenes

We're always creating something new. Check out what's in our latest drop here. 

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Thanks for reading and being part of our journey. We're so happy you're here.