Meet Ceramic Artist Diane Arrata

Tell us all about yourself

“My name is Diane Arrata, and I’m a ceramic artist based in Paris’s 18th arrondissement. After working in communications, I felt the need to make a major career shift and move toward a more hands-on, practical profession. So I trained in ceramics through various internships and courses. Today, in my studio, I mainly work with stoneware on the wheel and create one-of-a-kind pieces for the table.”

Where does your passion for ceramics come from?

“My passion stems from something very personal. I draw heavily on my memories of the Mediterranean: its light, its landscapes, its land, but also its culture, its energy, and above all the immense importance of shared meals. My Lebanese, Greek, Egyptian, and Corsican roots also fuel this sensibility.I wanted to create with my hands, to make something natural and gentle, far removed from a daily life spent in front of a screen. And then there was also this deep desire to be independent, to build a rhythm of life that reflects who I am.”

Why sandstone?

“I love sandstone because it’s a noble, raw, and sturdy material, yet at the same time incredibly delicate when you work with it. I’m fortunate to use sandstone from the quarries in Saint-Amand-en-Puisaye, less than 200 kilometers from Paris. It’s important to me to work with a local material and to stay committed to a more sustainable approach.”

Do you see your work as a form of care?

“Yes, absolutely. I feel it and see it every day with my students. They come to learn how to create, of course, but also to let go. There is something very powerful in the silence of the movement, in the contact with the earth and water. We return to the body, to breathing, to mindfulness. When we spin, we have to find the right balance, the right pressure, the right rhythm… and that forces us to be fully present. For me, it really feels like a form of healing.”

What is your vision of well-being and beauty?

“In the morning, I apply the Plumping Serum fromOh My Cream Skincare, which I mix with a few drops of the Oden Vitamin Serum. Since I wear very little makeup, I like my skin to look naturally hydrated and radiant. I finish with the Oh My Cream Skincare Plumping Cream
In the evening, I cleanse my face with theOh My Cream Skincare Cleansing Emulsionfrom Oh My Cream Skincare, which is very gentle after a day in the studio. For my hair, I apply a few drops of the Vegan SerumCut By Fred.”

What is your vision of well-being and beauty?

“Well-being and beauty are linked to a sense of simplicity and sincerity. Achieving well-being can be a gentle, quiet process. For me, if you seek it and attain it authentically, you feel it more deeply. You feel realigned, reconnected to what truly matters. Beauty (makeup, perfume, or skincare) involves a search for harmony: in the right balance, in the choice of products, and in how they’re applied. The same goes for my work: in shapes, colors, and proportions. I try to create objects that, like beauty, can do us good. Objects with a strong identity that convey emotion, yet are made to be lived with, used daily, and integrated into a way of life and shared moments.”

What's your go-to routine for taking care of your hands?

“My hands are my main tools of the trade. I clean them gently, avoid over-drying them, and always moisturize them after the workshop with the Patyka Hand Cream. In the evening, I like to take a moment to apply this nourishing cream—it’s almost like a ritual.”

What rituals help you refocus?

“Beyond skincare, my true wellness ritual is the time I spend in the studio. Working with clay forces me to slow down, breathe, and be fully present. It’s a deeply grounding, almost meditative experience. I also try to maintain simple routines: walking, stretching, drinking plenty of water, and following the rhythm of the seasons, both in my work and in how I take care of myself.”

What small things in your daily life fuel your creativity?

“Much of what inspires me comes from memories and sensations. Creativity is fueled as much by joy as by sadness, by love, and by the experiences we go through. Old memories and the ones I create every day with my family, my children, and my friends continue to sustain me today; they are a tremendous source of strength.”

“I also often think back to the family meals of my childhood: those large, generous, cheerful gatherings where sharing was—and still is—at the heart of everything. They are simple yet very powerful images, and they often come to mind in my work.”

What do you like best about your job?

“I really love the people I meet at the studio. I love the exchange of knowledge: what I learn from more experienced people who share their expertise so generously, and what I, in turn, can pass on to my students. I also love the calm of the studio, the sense of peace it brings. There is something very precious in the repeated gestures, in the dialogue with the material. It’s a demanding craft, but it deeply grounds me.”

Is there a particular time when you feel most inspired?

“Yes, often when I walk to the studio in the morning, right after dropping my kids off at school. It’s a very simple but precious moment: the day is just beginning, my mind is clear, and everything seems possible. I feel more open, more receptive… and ideas often come to me then, almost effortlessly.”

How do you see the future of your work, which blends craftsmanship, design, and artistic expression?

“The challenge lies precisely in striking a balance between these three dimensions. Craftsmanship is about authenticity: the craftsmanship itself, the skill. Design is about utility: creating functional pieces, designed to last and be part of everyday life. But artistic expression is what evokes the most emotion, and it is this aspect that I want to develop even further. To continue creating objects that tell a story, that remain simple yet deeply evocative. I’m also very eager to collaborate with chefs, restaurants, and the hospitality industry, as well as interior designers, to create custom pieces designed for spaces where people live, gather, and share.”

Check out Diane's creations on her Instagram account @dianearrataceramics.

Diane's selection

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