Léa Croison : artiste céramiste en Normandie, Hôte Nohô

Introduction

A ceramic artist based in Normandy, Léa Croison has developed a unique universe centered around one-of-a-kind, 100% handmade pieces. Trained in the arts and crafts, she takes a demanding approach: local clays, handmade colors, and limited production runs.

Through her studio, she champions socially conscious ceramics, far removed from mass production, and offers an immersion into her creative world on Nohô.

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Léa Croison and I am a ceramic artist in Normandy.

Can you tell us a little about your background?

I had a fairly traditional background in the sense that I was immediately interested in the arts. I studied design, then specialized in ceramics, and obtained a Diplôme des Métiers d’Art in artisanal ceramics. I then started out in a collective studio in Paris, before opening my own studio in Normandy.

How long have you been practicing?

I’ve been practicing since 2016. I also teach classes and train both beginners and professionals.

What is your approach to ceramics?

I always work in limited production. My pieces are made exclusively from French raw materials and are 100% handmade. It must be said that these pieces come at a price. So for me, it’s important that when a customer spends €40 on a cup or mug, they can’t find that piece anywhere else.

Each piece is unique and signed. The person knows why they are paying that price: they are buying a genuine, one-of-a-kind handmade piece.

Do you use a particular method?

Yes. People often have an image of the potter’s wheel in their minds, especially with social media. But I no longer work with this technique because the wheel often leads to mass production, and that doesn’t interest me.

I mainly work with the slab technique. It’s a bit like making pie crust with a rolling pin: I do the same thing with clay. Then I cut and assemble the slabs like a sewing pattern. We go from 2D to 3D to create volume. This technique allows me to create completely unique pieces. I also make all my own colors. This allows me to control their origin and composition. They don’t come from a manufacturer, which means I can offer truly unique colors.

And for the clay, I only use Norman clay, so I can work with materials that are close to the studio.

What do you offer at Nohô?

I offer a tour of my workshop for groups of one to six people. The aim is to introduce them to my craft and my world.

During the visit, I show my color samples and explain that it can sometimes take several months to obtain a single color. This is also why I don’t have an extremely developed palette: each shade requires time and research. Visitors can also see my kilns and learn about the different stages of production.

Conclusion

Through a demanding and local approach, Léa Croison champions ceramics that are committed, artisanal, and resolutely unique.

Between slab technique, making her own colors, and using Normandy clay, she offers an alternative to standardized production. On Nohô, she invites you to discover the behind-the-scenes of her workshop and the reality of an artistic craft where each piece tells a story.