The Circle Tee with @ministry_of_mud
Our best-selling Circle Tee is everything we love about a go-to: easy, expressive, and intentional. Those are also things we happen to love about some of our favorite high-desert creatives, who we asked to show us how they wear theirs. First up is ceramic artist and sculptor John Flores.
Photos by Brandon Harman
John moved to the desert a little over three years ago after finishing his BFA and searching for a place to grow roots and make art full-time. “The land and energy here had always made an impact on me,” he says. He and his partner found the space they were looking for, and John quickly got to work building a life as an artist.
His path to ceramics wasn’t exactly a straight line. John had originally set out to become a nurse, but a college ceramics class changed everything. “It was one of those points in life where you have two paths ahead and need to decide on one,” he says. “I took a leap of faith by following the path that didn’t offer stability or practicality, but it felt right.”
He first got hooked on clay as a high school student and kept coming back to it. By the time he was finishing his BFA at Cal State Fullerton, he had found a clear voice and style, thanks in part to the mentorship of ceramic sculptor Nobuhito Nishigawara. “That’s when I really started focusing on sculpture over pottery,” he says.
These days, John’s work is heavily influenced by desert life, especially the plants. “I’ve been obsessed with cacti and succulents for a long time,” he says. His early work featured abstract botanical forms, but the move to the high desert brought a more literal style. “New forms have emerged, things inspired by what I’m seeing and feeling out here—plants, experiences, moments.”
The land has also shifted more than just his subject matter. “Growing up in suburban cities, I didn’t realize how much I needed to feel connected to the planet,” he says. “Out here, the dark skies bring comfort, and being able to see the sun rise and set on the horizon every day still bewilders me.” And while summers have been a big adjustment, he’s found more inspiration in the seasons.
John hopes to grow his gallery presence—locally and beyond—and host more hands-on clay workshops in the community. You can currently find his work at Illumine in Palm Springs, Very Very in 29 Palms, and the Palm Springs Art Museum store. And if you’re around in October, stop by his studio (#130) during the HWY 62 Open Studio Art Tours.