Hello! My name is Ryan Allen McDonald. 

I was born in Seattle, Washington, 1985. I grew up as an only child to a single mom.  

In addition to her, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins are a continuous source of love, wisdom, and reassurance as I travel life’s journey. 

My first experience with pottery was in my late teens when I began attending Green River Community College. The kind mentorship of my ceramics instructor, Paul Metivier, hardened love of clay within my heart forever. Therefore, even after graduating from there in 2008, and moving on to work as a construction tradesmen, the desire to create functional works of art never left me.

That desire became reality, when I returned to the potters wheel in 2018 at Moshier Community Art Center in Burien, Washington. where I eventually started to volunteer. Now I have the pleasure of being an instructor there.

The end of 2022 was a time of positive change for me. I started working at Rain City Clay as an instructor, at Rat City Studios as the Studio Manager, and I started my personal practice as a potter doing business as Ambivert Ceramics.

Life has been good! But, like most people, some days are hard. Coming to a place of self-acceptance is an ongoing project. Part of what has helps me mentally and emotionally is pursuing creative endeavors. What inspires me to keep going is that I might enrich and inspire others in response to the way others have done the same for me.

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and interest in my life and work as a potter.