Darcie's work celebrates strong contrast – black on white – and symbolism.

"Most of my work is about dualism. Dualistic, like yin and yang, the two polar opposites," she says, adding that "I'm really into symbols and how you can hide your idea in a photo. You can use a symbol and some people know what that symbol is, some people don't."

✨ Porcelain pottery
✨ Made in Buffalo, NY
✨ Founded in 2016

Darcie was introduced to ceramics through a college course taught local artist Bryan Hopkins. And because she loves a challenge, porcelain's reputation for being among the most difficult mediums proved irresistible.

"If this is the hardest path, I want to become a master," she says.

Her signature style really came together after discovering graffito – painting color on a functional vessel and then carving away at it.

"I was just coming off two years of just painting and drawing ... I love painting, but I like the tangibility or actual use of something. It feels like there's more purpose behind it."

As Darcie describes her professional and creative journey, she describes a crossroads moment. (As in an evolution, not the movie.)

"I'm trying to figure out how to push the boundaries. So I'm curious to see where the next couple years will go, because I do feel like I'm at the beginning of something. And that's always interesting to feel terrified, and also very excited at the same time."

We love the way Darcie describes her creative thought process – so much that we're going to let her share it.

"I'm obsessed with the idea of thinking about thinking. How far back can you go? How far forward can you go with a thought? I love philosophy, so if I find people exciting and creative, how did they get there? What are they thinking about? How am I thinking about thinking about what they're thinking about? And then it's like, how can I be an inspiration to create something that other people can be inspired by? Because I'm always chasing the inspiration for myself."