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Charlotte Grenier | Episode 966
Charlotte Grenier is a utilitarian potter, making wheel thrown and altered pots in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Charlotte holds a BA in ceramics from Michigan State University and currently teaches in the greater Ann Arbor area. Charlotte is interested in making patterns that evoke past eras of design and touchable nostalgic surfaces.
Before we go any further, if you are interested in supporting me and my family as I go through my eye restoration, then here is the link to the GoFundMe campaign that my good friend, Ben Carter of Tales of the Red Clay Rambler started for us:
gofundme.com/f/help-paul-blais-recover-from-eye-surgery
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What is something in the studio that has you excited right now?
I am thinking about and moving forward into sets. I’ve never really made anything that had a bunch of moving components with a little tray where everything fits. So I’m thinking about sets right now.
What is a challenge that you are trying to resolve right now?
Man, the dotting process takes a long time. So I am curious if there is a way to speed up in that section…a better way to hold colored clay.
You mentioned that you have several strings of income. If you could add one more string of income into your overall income streams what would it be?
I would love to do more demonstrating at conferences or for private groups. I really enjoy demonstrating for a group for just a one off thing.
If you could pick anyone to do a collaboration with who is one person that would be a dream collaboration?
Gosh, that’s a big question. I guess Kristen Kieffer. Everyone always says I look like her so I don’t know, I think she might have some cool ideas.
What is one thing that you wish you knew from the beginning about making?
I think I wish I would have been more open to more surface decoration. I made blank pots for a long time and just didn’t put anything on them and I think I learned that atmospheric firing can, while beautiful and wonderful, you still got to put something on the pot. So yeah, I think a little more experimentation earlier on instead of just relying on soda to give you your surfaces.
What would a dream pottery vacation look like for you?
My father was born in France so I have spent a lot of time in Paris, I would love to do ceramics in the south of France. I think that would be just fantastic.
Book
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Contact
Instagram: @ateliergrenier