From Clay to Camera: The Story Behind Pathos.Co

You’ve heard of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos, but you’ve probably never thought about Pathos in this context. If you look up the meaning of the word Pathos it usually is described as the ability to evoke emotion, in particular sadness or sympathy. My version is… let’s just say it’s a little different from that.

Ever since I can remember, I have had a bleeding heart for better or worse. I have always held a space to recognize how so much of life is seemingly so unfair to those who least deserve it. I have maintained this quality since growing up, and it’s actually what inspired me to want to make a difference in the only way I knew how- through art.

In 2019, I drove from my Home in Saint Louis to Philadelphia In 2021, I made that drive again just this time from Philadelphia to California. I was so excited to come to California. In Philadelphia, I found myself struggling mentally and emotionally. I wasn’t feeling fulfilled in my career (in college I switched from wanting to pursue my life long dream of studying Marine biology to studying art) or in my community. I felt distraught over the state of the world, specifically I was scared about the impending catastrophic events climate change would bring. California felt so promising.

My first summer here was filled with exploring all over Southern California. Long days at the beach, soaking up sun and letting my body acclimate to the cool Pacific- learning my new environment. Something I noticed through all of this was that there was a significant amount of trash on the beach, which was surprising to me especially here in LA.

At this new time in my life, I was struggling creatively. I was on a fast track to the final stages of burn out (disdain for what used to bring me so much joy). I had genuine feelings that because I loved art so much and was determined to make it. work I may have ruined my future. If you know me, you know that I feel things deeply, and that most of my life I have been pretty certain of who I am. I have always derived a lot of my worth from being able to find success within the choices I make, so when I made the choice to study art over the life long plan I had to study Marie biology, it felt damning in every sense of the word. I didn’t know what my purpose was anymore in terms of my career, and that scared me. One thing I did know, was that I did always love the ocean, and now it was here in my backyard.

I knew that my love for the ocean had carried me through so much, that I return to it constantly. It is the only place I can go where I feel completely at peace. There’s no noise, and I can go under the water and become one with my surroundings because I’m able to be fully present. I started making time for myself at the beach a part of my routine. The more I did this though, I started to find myself getting frustrated by the consistent sight of trash floating around me.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is not far from California, and it is twice the size of Texas. It made sense to me that trash would not be an uncommon sight on the beach. What frustrated me even more though was the locals and tourists. People would come and go to the beach only to leave mementos of their time there in the sand and the water. Food wrappers and utensils, Water bottles, joint butts, beer cans, even shockingly the occasional piece of underwear.

At this time, I was working on actively trying to heal a part of me that had affected my ability to engage fully in the artistic mediums I loved like pottery, and painting. I started collecting pieces of trash that I would find from the beach, cleaning it, and playing with the idea that maybe I could embellish some pottery with it. I thought it would be an interesting way to explore the concept of artifacts, combing modernity with the look of something more antiquated.

After a few months of working on this idea I realized I wanted to monetize it. How, though, was what I needed to learn. The first order of business was choosing a name. I had so many ideas of what to call this little new venture but nothing really felt right. I knew that I wanted the name to feel somewhat earthy, somewhat ethereal, and also reminiscent of justice or balance. I thought that Themis could be interesting, but it didn’t quite feel fitting. I was reminded of Pathos and thought immediately “that’s it!”.

Pathos. It was perfect. I wanted my pottery to make people feel something, whether that was curiosity, the duality of our impact on the planet, inspiration to create in a similar way. I loved the new name of my business, but was starting to feel less empowered to keep up with pottery.

I started carrying a camera around with me, to document my surroundings. I always have a camera with me. I have LOVED photography ever since I can remember. Little did I know that getting my first camera would’ve sealed the deal on what I really loved, and loved earnestly without pressure. As I started working more in this familiar medium, it occurred to me that maybe pottery as a full time job wasn’t my calling. Possibly it was photography.

As I started to explore this more, I came to understand that I was made to do photography. I loved every moment of working with my camera, traveling, meeting new people, spending countless hours editing and re-editng my photos. It was simultaneously a way to relieve my stress and a way to get paid. The more I started switching my brand over to photography from pottery, the more I attracted people who wanted to work with me and get to know my story.

Now, two years later, I am on a mission to maintain the ethical and sustainable aspects of my business that started it all. I work with sustainable and eco-conscious brands to help them grow their businesses and promote ethical consumerism. I work with women to help them overcome insecurities through photography. I have worked with non-profits to provide them with incredible visuals so that their story can be told in a way that is authentic to their work and goals. I love every aspect of what I do. It’s a work in progress with plenty of room to grow, but that is the best part.

Pathos Collective now, is a business built on inspiring, connecting, grounding, and storytelling not only through photography, but through pottery and painting as well. Photography is an heirloom, and in such a fast paced world, it’s a privilege to slow down for a while. Through slowing down, I can only hope to connect with others and inspire a sense of passion about how important it is that we maintain our connection to what’s natural, to playing, to creativity. Pathos to me is to inspire hope, foster emotional connection, authenticity, story telling.

As I continue this journey with Pathos.Co, I’m dedicated to creating a space where art, nature, and storytelling intersect, encouraging others to embrace themselves and our planet. I am so grateful for all of you who have supported me and Pathos.co. Grateful is truly an understatement.