Keeper of the Hollow
Alexandria Thornley is a ceramic artist and educator based in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. With 17 years of experience in art education, she creates whimsical, functional ceramics that blend storytelling with everyday use. Through her monster creations, she hopes to bring a little curiosity, joy, and magic into the homes of those who adopt them.
Frequently asked questions
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I first learned ceramic techniques in high school. I had a phenomenal teacher for three years and enjoyed it so much I decided to pursue art education in college! My experience in the the clay studio in college was…not great and I took a break from clay for a while. I experimented with a lot of different art forms, but then fell in love with clay again while teaching high school students and this is where the story begins! I started researching more advanced techniques and trying new things and I’m still learning to this day.
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I think I’m inspired by things, ideas, and stories that create a sense of wonder and amazement. I grew up reading fairy tales, folk tales, and reading books about gnomes and fairies, dragons, and mythical creatures. Stories and movies like The Last Unicorn, The Borrowers, The Lord of the Rings, The Secret Garden, and even the Ewoks from Star Wars have inspired me! There is something magical and whimsical about these pockets of imagination out in the real world that I wanted to find for myself. The monsters have become this culmination of all the whimsical, magical and mysterious creatures that you might be curious enough to find for yourself one day.
I’d also say that I’m interested in exploring how functional items we use every day have an impact on us. My goal is that when people adopt a monster, when they see it in the morning when they wake up or at their desk as they do homework, that the monsters spark a little bit of joy. Who doesn’t need a little more joy in their life?
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The monsters began as a student art project and let me tell you in the beginning they were not very good! I’d put a picture, but it’s too embarrassing! Over the years as I revisited the lesson over and over I’ve been able to refine my craft and use of the material to what you see today. Then in 2017 I started teaching high school, which meant I had more time to do more in depth lessons with students and one of the very first of my character monsters Gus was created. He had a story to tell! From there I created more and more and I just can’t seem to stop!
