Originally from the suburbs of Baltimore, Zoe Daniel moved to Athens in search of a new environment. She chose UGA for its scientific illustration program–a course of study offered by only a few institutions nationwide—which she graduated from in 2016 along with a second degree in art education. Following graduation, Zoe taught elementary art at Howard B. Stroud Elementary School for several years before transitioning to a full-time career as a ceramic artist and starting Wormwood and Honey Pottery. Her work, which frequently features detailed botanical illustrations on white porcelain, reflects her background in scientific illustration and her love of natural forms. In addition to her studio practice, she also teaches Pilates, a discipline she embraced after a hand injury temporarily limited her ability to work with clay. She currently teaches at Lotus Yoga in Wire Park, where she enjoys helping others find strength and balance through movement. Zoe lives in Forest Heights with her fiancé, Connor, and their cat, Gizmo—short for Guillermo Van Helsing. When she’s not doing pottery or Pilates, Zoe loves all things to do with Athens’ bustling creative community.

 

What do you love most about the work you do? 

 

I love having a product, like a physical thing at the end that is proof of the effort I put in. I think as a teacher, it was all very abstract, what you’re accomplishing. You really just have to have such a good heart and be so empathetic as a teacher. And for me, I just felt like, wow, I’m working so hard. And I don’t know what I have to show for it. But with pottery, what I put in is what I get out. And that works really well for me. I like that I can really crush it out if I want to. And if I want to take a nap, I can take a nap. And I love that I get to pass that product on to people and people get to use it. Like when I get messages from people that are like “I drink out of your mug!” That feels good. I love those kinds of messages. It’s cool to make a piece of art that gets used and that people get to hold and feel this tangible, physical thing. 

 

When you’re not working, what kinds of things do you like to do in and around Athens?

 

Well, I’ve got Pilates. That’s a big one. I do a lot of that. But my favorite thing to do in life is just sit at a coffee shop and read a book and drink a coffee. Where depends on what I want to drink. If I’m looking for a coffee, I’m going to 1000 Faces. If I’m getting a chai, I really like Sunroof Coffee. They’ve got a great chai and a cool outdoor space to hang out in. We’ve got pretty much only good coffee shops. Oh, and Molly’s is a cute little hangout spot. Molly is the coolest. I’ve always said if Hi Lo ever closed, I’m moving. I love them so much. And we love Hidden Gem and Seabear if we’re going for cocktails. I used to work at Ike and Jane, and I’m constantly wishing Ike and Jane still existed. So, you know, sitting at Old Pal and looking at the Wingstop and crying. I’ve done that a few times. 

 

If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why? 

 

Oh, right now? Right now I would say Thailand because I’m watching White Lotus. It’s so beautiful. But you know, anytime I have the funds or the time, that’s what I’m doing. That’s like my favorite thing to do is travel. I just got to go to Iceland for the first time, which was incredible. I’m going to Alaska in the summer. I mean, I’ll go anywhere and try anything, but I’ve never done Asia before. So Thailand feels cool and different, you know, that kind of tropical island thing. I haven’t really experienced it. 

 

If you could see any band or any musician or show anywhere, who would it be and where? 

 

Oh, what a tough question. This is kind of a lame answer. Years ago, I saw The National at Shaky Knees. It was in their old location, so you’re in a parking lot. It’s not a great setup. But it was truly one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. And so I have talked multiple times about seeing The National at Red Rocks. It seems like it would be an out of body experience, like just an incredible, beautiful, ethereal vibe. I wouldn’t even say they’re my favorite band, but I just think they put on such a good show. I would love to see it in a super special location like that. 

 

What advice would you give to your younger self? 

 

Trust your gut. I think that, especially with getting into teaching, there was this freedom in “ok, I can kind of hack it, I can do it. I’m gonna make this situation work.” I probably could have died from the stress of the situations I would put myself into. But now, being my own boss, I wish I had been better when I was younger at remembering that I make these rules that I’m imposing on myself. Like I set the deadlines, I decide the calendar, I’m in charge of all this. I spent so long getting so stressed out over meeting these arbitrary deadlines that I made up. And so I think I could have probably had a lot more fun and a lot less stress if I can kind of just accept that, hey, you work at this speed, you can’t magically make yourself get more done, you know. And if you do, then you get burnt out. And that’s what you’re trying to avoid as an artist and a self-employed person, because no one’s holding you accountable. So yeah, just like, relax, let the guilt go, you get done what you get done. And that’s good enough. If you’re working, you’re fine. 

 

Do you have a favorite book or a book that you find yourself rereading or referencing or gifting? 

 

Yeah, this is really embarrassing too. I used to be really big into Kurt Vonnegut/dystopian/sci-fi. And that was like my move at holidays that everyone would get a new weird sci fi book. I have lately gotten into the more romantic trend. I’m not gonna lie. I freaking love Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. I don’t think they’re necessarily well-written books, but they are a fun ride. This past year for Christmas, everyone got Fourth Wing or the A Court of Thorns and Roses, you know, these “BookTok” books. So that’s what I’m solidly in right now– these like, 500 year old fairy men and young human girls. It’s so silly, but you know, times are tough out there. You need a good escape.

 

Do you have a favorite movie? 

 

Yes, this is easy. My favorite movie is Fight Club. I think start-to-finish it’s a perfectly made movie. Great soundtrack. Just fantastic. And then if I’m not trying to impress anybody, my favorite movie is The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Also a perfect movie.

 

If you could put any message on a billboard, what would it be? 

 

“Unclench your jaw. Be nice to your neighbors.” Or, I don’t know, “Unclench your jaw and mind your own business.” I think we’re all just too tense. And we’re all so busy worrying about other people. And you don’t need to worry about what other people are doing. Just be kind, show some respect, and mind your own business. Do you. 

 

If you could have lunch with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? And where? 

 

I have two answers immediately that come to mind. Frida Kahlo. I’m a big fan of Frida Kahlo.  I think she’s amazing. I think her story is so tragic and amazing and how she channeled that into her art…I’d love to hear more from her. And then JonBenet Ramsey… Girl, what happened? I’d love to know. That’s like my biggest true crime interest. I gotta know. That’s like the mystery of our lifetime. As far as where we’d go…I feel like for Frida Kahlo we need to be at like a really good taco place drinking tequila. Seems like the right move. And JonBenet Ramsey and I would go to Ike and Jane if it still existed.

 

What three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word home? 

Warm, comfortable, and pets.