Dirk Dahl and his family sold their art studio and left the bustling streets of Santa Monica years ago in search of a more peaceful life.

Driving up the coast they initially landed in Olympia, but after a few years began to yearn for somewhere a little busier. More than four years ago, they resettled in Kenmore where the founded started a ceramics studio, Dahl Arts Studio.

“We wanted to get back to a bigger city vibe,” he said.

Kenmore fit the bill being both close to Seattle and surrounding cities, but still small enough to have some space, Dahl said.

His studio is filled with ceramics of all types, ranging from cups, plates and teapots to figures, busts and five-foot high abstract figures.

Two large pieces showcase a Mad Hatter-esque rabbit and the other has a small ceramic head perched atop a shingle-layered body and extended neck.

“Most of the cooky stuff is my stuff,” Dahl said with a laugh.

With large tables and spinning plates, large windows which let natural light flow into the studio it creates an inviting scene.

Which is the way Dahl wants it.

“I created more of a living environment, where people come in and the feel comfortable,” he said.

And for his roughly 40 students, Dahl’s studio is all about helping them discover their inner artist.

Many of his students began taking classes with no previous experience and quickly moved from basic teapots to more intricate and embellished pieces.

“For me, it’s not about money, it’s about the experience of enjoying the whole process,” he said.

Dahl has been working with ceramics since he was a kid and said even though he’s had other businesses in the past his art was always a way to unwind.

Since he decided to make teaching his full-time profession he has hasn’t looked back.

And by the number of students he has Dahl should be set to keep teaching well into the future. He said he has no plans to leave Kenmore and hopes to continue sharing his passion with the Northshore and beyond.

“I love it here,” he said. “I’m done.”