Author Archives: Paul Blais

A Nurturing Artist | Alice Ballard | Episode 69

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Alice Ballard | Episode 69

Alice Ballard

Alice Ballard Wall Pod GreenAlice Ballard maintains a studio in Greenville, SC where she teaches part-time at Christ Church Episcopal Middle School.  She also taught at the SC Gov. School for the arts for 10 years, along with workshops at Penland, Arrowmont, Odyssey and for the American Crafts Council Southeast. Collections include the Renwick Gallery (DC), Mint Museum (NC), Resen Cermic Collection (Macedonia), state art collection in TN and SC. She received a Fulbright to study in India and an SCArtsCom Individual Fellowship Grant.  Represented by Blue Spiral 1 (NC), Hodges Taylor (NC) The Tao Evolution (Hong Kong)Alice Ballard Large Magnolia Pod

Continue reading→

Building Relationships for Building Business | Kip O’Krongly | Episode 68

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Kip O’Krongly | Episode 68

Kip O'Krongly

Kip O'Krongly Wind Turbine PlateKip O’Krongly earned a BA from Carleton College in 2001 and continued her ceramics education in studios across the country before returning to Minnesota as the Northern Clay Center Fogelberg Fellow, Materials Technician, and then Anonymous Potter Studio Fellow.  Kip has been featured as a Ceramics Monthly Emerging Artist, on the cover of Pottery Making Illustrated, and was the Best in Show winner of Strictly Functional Exhibition in 2011.  She exhibits work and teaches workshops across the country, is included in a number of ceramic publications and was awarded a $25,000 McKnight Artist Grant in 2014.  O’Krongly currently maintains a studio in Northfield, Minnesota.

Continue reading→

An Artist Staying Current | Frances Palmer | Episode 67

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Frances Palmer | Episode 67

Frances Palmer

Frances Palmer Serving BowlFrances Palmer has been making ceramics since 1987. Frances was trained as an art historian, yet has always made work with her hands. First as a printmaker and now as a potter and gardener. Frances loves the process of changing ideas into form. She doesn’t make or grow things to hold onto them, but rather to send them out into the Frances Palmer Terra Cotta Two Handle Urnworld for others to live with and enjoy. Her handmade ceramics are functional art – dishware or vases that can be used on a daily basis. Each piece, no matter how large or small, is considered and individual.

Continue reading→

The Gallery Owner’s Perspective | Mary Lou Zeek | Episode 66

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Mary Lou Zeek | Episode 66

Mary Lou Zeek

Mary Lou Zeek- Sue-Del McCulloch

Painting by Sue-Del McCulloch, Ceramic vase by Natalie Warrens, Wall sculpture by Bruce West.

Mary Lou Zeek is a graduate from Western Oregon University and was a studio artist for 28 years as a ceramic artist. Mary knew the skill and passion artists pour into their work. Mary has supported the arts through her work on the Oregon Artists Series Foundation and the Salem Public Art Commission. But mostly Mary has supported the arts through the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery.

When Mary first opened the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery in 2001, her vision was to honor artists and their creations, and to push the limits of

Mary Lou Zeek- Steven Gardner

Steven Gardner: ceramic inset

what a small gallery could do. Even though Mary’s gallery only had 700 square feet of space, she specialized in shows and events that went way beyond the gallery doors. She partnered with small non-profits, other retailers and large organizations to stage some amazing collaborative art shows and events. Mary’s gallery received a number of local, state and national awards.

Continue reading→

The Commitment | Kajsa Leijström | Episode 65

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Kajsa Leijström | Episode 65

Kajsa Leijström

KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERAKajsa Leijström lives in the most southern part of Sweden, which is a popular tourist destination. Kajsa has been running her own pottery studio since 1999 and most of her production is wheel-thrown functional ceramics. About three years ago, Kajsa made a major change in her work and started to make high fired stoneware.

Continue reading→

Making Art, Making Money | Ann Rea | Episode 64

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Ann Rea | Episode 64

Ann Rea

Ann Rea abandoned art for over a decade. When she returned to art Ann wowed the artist world in 2004 with vivid landscapes of the vineyards of California. In less than a year of starting her art business Ann was profitable. Since then Ann has added to her business of amazing canvas works prints, postcards, public speaking, and artist coaching. Ann is voice worthy of our ears.

Vineyard House

Vineyard House

Continue reading→

The Conceptual Artist | Robert Chamberlin | Episode 63

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Robert Chamberlin | Episode 63

Robert Chamberlin

Robert Chamberlin Pots and BedRobert Chamberlin is a conceptual artist living and working in Boston, Massachusetts where he recently received his MFA from Tufts University and The School of the Museum of Fine Art. Working across media (photography, performance, ceramics etc.) to express ideas and promote conversation. Robert is often at the focus of his work. Tackling projects that channel a contemporary socio-political issues like surveillance, sexuality, and domesticity through a personal lens.

Continue reading→

An Honest Artist | Chris Taylor | Episode 62

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Chris Taylor | Episode 62

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Ester SegarraChris Taylor works as a ceramicist in Devon, the South West of England. His current work, the ornamental vase series, consists of thrown vases decorated using a variety of techniques that are reminiscent of historical vessels.
He currently lectures at Plymouth College of Art.
Continue reading→

The Artist that Bridges the Gap | Sue Tirrell | Episode 61

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Sue Tirrell | Episode 61

Sue Tirrell

Sue Tirrell White Rabbits Red FlowersSue Tirrell is a ceramic artist living and working in Paradise Valley, Montana.  She holds a BFA from Alfred University and spent many years teaching ceramics in school, museum and community settings before becoming a full-time studio artist in 2008.

Continue reading→

Artists as a Couple | Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke | Episode 60

Posted on by

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke | Episode 60

Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke 1Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke 2

Samantha Henneke

Samantha Henneke

Bruce Gholson and Samantha Henneke, are studio potters who live and work in central North Carolina, in a celebrated and unique community known as the Seagrove Potters.  This husband and wife team own and operate Bulldog Pottery, one of the more than 60 ‘open to the public’ potteries, nestled in the scenic countryside surrounding the town of Seagrove.  Bruce and Samantha work primarily with porcelains and white stonewares, with an intense interest in glaze experimentation and surface developments. Their studio is a collaborative environment providing each other support to express their independent voices. They make their functional and decorative pottery into an art to be used for everyday living. Continue reading→