In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews Jessica Sanford, a seasoned potter with 25 years of experience. Jessica shares her unique perspectives on commonly held beliefs in the pottery world, especially regarding beginners and the emphasis on production. She recounts her journey into pottery, from high school classes to becoming an inadvertent teacher, and discusses how teaching has elevated her own pottery skills. Jessica also delves into her current focus on functional pottery and graphic design influences, her approach to finding one's voice in pottery, and the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the common mistakes made by beginners and intermediates, and the significance of being generous in the pottery community.  You can learn more about Jessica by checking out her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/claywithjess/

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 00:00 Introduction and Newsletter Invitation 00:29 Challenging Common Pottery Beliefs 03:40 Jessica's Pottery Journey 04:40 The Unexpected Teaching Opportunity 07:33 Improving Pottery Skills Through Teaching 13:03 Common Mistakes in Wheel Throwing 18:11 Jessica's Pottery Style and Inspirations 25:16 Finding Your Voice in Pottery 33:39 Final Thoughts and Parting Advice 36:13 Outro and Newsletter Reminder

In this episode, Nic Torres shares a personal anecdote about being kept awake by loud rain and a dripping sound, leading to random thoughts and ponderings about water and the scientific method. He then ties this to pottery, explaining how the scientific method can be applied to pottery by creating and testing hypotheses to find what works best. He emphasizes that treating pottery as a series of experiments can make the process more enjoyable, help discover one’s unique voice, and lead to continuous improvement and innovation.

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In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews Anna Shipulina, a mother, immigrant, and artist. Anna shares her experience of how embracing freedom in her pottery practice has helped her grow as an artist. She discusses the importance of doing what you love to avoid burnout and the significance of intuitive building. Anna also talks about how her role as a mother and immigrant has influenced her art, the transition from wheel throwing to hand building, and her inspiration from nature and the human body. She offers practical advice for overcoming imposter syndrome, involving children in the creative process, and discovering one's unique voice in pottery.  You can learn more about Anna by checking out her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/annashipulina_ceramics/

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 00:00 Introduction and Newsletter Invitation 01:05 Interview with Anna Shipulina Begins 02:05 Anna's Pottery Journey 03:50 Balancing Art and Life 07:29 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 09:22 Exploring Handbuilding and Sculptures 12:19 Finding Inspiration in Nature and the Human Body 14:21 Embracing Imperfections in Pottery 17:31 Discovering Your Unique Voice 22:53 Final Thoughts and Advice 23:49 Conclusion and Newsletter Reminder

In this episode you will the importance of revisiting old skills to find new inspiration and address weaknesses in your pottery practice. He shares his personal experience with gymnastics-related exercises to illustrate how returning to basics can reveal areas for improvement and generate fresh ideas. Nick encourages potters to explore previous techniques they may have abandoned, such as sculpting or adding different textures, to reinvigorate their creativity and create more personalized, unique pottery.

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In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, host Nic Torres interviews Jessie Marinacci Valone about the transformative power of slowing down in pottery. Jessie shares her journey from graphic design to pottery, the importance of experimenting in the studio, and the benefits of surrounding yourself with other artists. She discusses her experiences at the Penland School of Craft, creating mood boards for inspiration, and the significance of the physical and intellectual aspects of pottery. Jessie also provides valuable insights into the business side of pottery, including building confidence, promoting work, and finding success at shows. Whether you are looking to discover your own voice or improve your business strategy, this episode offers a wealth of practical advice and inspiring stories.  You can learn more about Jessie by checking out her instagram https://www.instagram.com/jmvceramics/

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00:00 Introduction and Free Booklet Announcement 00:29 Interview with Jessie Marinacci Valone 01:46 Jessie's Pottery Journey 03:18 Residency Experience at Penland School of Craft 04:49 Inspiration and Techniques 12:37 Business Side of Pottery 16:42 Discovering Your Unique Voice 21:26 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode, Nic Torres interviews Maria Loram, an expert in adding textures to pottery. Maria shares her journey of rediscovering art through ceramics, her inspiration from Japanese ceramics and the cosmos, and her transformative experience at the Cub Creek Residency. The episode delves into her passion for spherical and textured vases, the process of using natural materials, and the importance of consistency and experimentation in pottery. Maria also discusses her upcoming course on adding textures to ceramics, providing valuable insights for potters looking to find their unique voice.  You can learn more about Maria by checking out her instagram https://www.instagram.com/loram.ceramics/

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00:00 Introduction and Newsletter Promo 00:17 Interview with Maria: Adding Textures to Pottery 01:12 Maria's Journey into Pottery 03:56 Cub Creek Residency Experience 06:04 Working with Natural Materials 09:26 Creating Spherical and Textured Vases 14:23 Developing a Texture Course 19:25 Finding Your Unique Voice in Pottery 25:34 Final Thoughts and Consistency 26:37 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode, Nic Torres discusses the significance of spending sufficient time experimenting with different pottery techniques before moving on to new projects. He emphasizes that continuous experimentation helps build confidence, improve skills, and achieve mastery in pottery. Nic also addresses the common tendency to quickly switch between ideas and projects, urging potters to persevere with their experiments to bring their unique visions to life. 

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In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery Catie North shares her transition from watercolor to pottery, revealing how underglaze techniques can mimic watercolor effects. The conversation covers the intersection of pottery with anime and video game inspirations, and the challenges of creating vibrant, neon-colored glazes. Listeners will learn practical advice on mastering underglaze, the benefits of slip casting, and strategies for promoting pottery on social media. Emphasis is placed on the importance of community, finding one's artistic voice, and the growth stemming from creative collaborations and personal experiences, including insights from a successful partnership with Riot Games. You can learn more about Caitie by checking out her instagram https://www.instagram.com/caitienorth/

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 00:00 Introduction and Newsletter Invitation 00:17 Interview with Catie North: Watercolor to Underglaze 01:39 Catie's Journey into Pottery 03:03 From Watercolor Artist to Pottery Enthusiast 05:39 The Intersection of Watercolor Techniques and Pottery 07:19 Creating Unique Pottery Inspired by Anime and Video Games 12:06 Developing and Teaching Underglaze Techniques 18:13 Common Mistakes with Underglaze 18:29 Exploring Slip Casting 21:23 Transition to Full-Time Potter 24:45 Navigating Social Media for Pottery 27:10 Starting Commissions 28:46 Finding Your Artistic Voice 31:52 The Importance of Community 34:47 Advice for Aspiring Potters 35:56 Conclusion and Where to Find More

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews artist Meaghan Gates, who shares her journey of becoming an artist and her insights on what it means to embrace failure in the world of pottery. Meaghan discusses her widespread experiences from her early exposure to pottery as a child to her academic and professional growth. She highlights the significant influence of professors, the necessity of stepping out of comfort zones, and how her international travels have shaped her artistic voice. Throughout the conversation, they explore Meaghan's process of creating her unique sculptures, her approach to experimenting with glazes, and the importance of continual learning and adaptation. Meaghan emphasizes perseverance and staying open to constructive feedback as keys to developing one's unique style in pottery.  You can learn more about Meaghan by checking out her instagram https://www.instagram.com/meaghanmgates/

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00:00 Introduction to Meghan Gates 00:35 Overcoming Failures in Pottery 02:09 Meaghan's Journey into Pottery 03:38 Creating Sculptural Pieces 04:48 The Role of Professors and Feedback 08:56 Pushing Artistic Boundaries 24:03 The Importance of Travel and Residencies 28:17 Finding Your Unique Voice 32:05 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery', Nic Torres explores how to find and cultivate your unique pottery identity, regardless of your experience level. He highlights the importance of identifying personal likes and dislikes, both in and out of pottery, by advocating for self-reflection exercises like listing interests and nostalgia from childhood. He provides practical advice, such as taking mindful walks and drawing inspiration from personal history, to help integrate individual interests into pottery work. This approach aims to establish a distinct artistic voice and encourages creativity in any stage of a potter's journey.

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