Author Archive: Paul Blais

Systems For Potters | Jeanette Stevens | Episode 953

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Jeanette Stevens | Episode 953

 

From a young age Jeanette Stevens’ infectious positivity and enthusiasm has been at the heart of both her career and personal life. Throw in Jeanette’s fascination with organisation and passion for all things creative, it’s no surprise her career path and hobbies have been varied! From Master baker & cake decorator to aerobics instructor & accountant, Jeanette’s heart settled in the fabulous world of bridal, as Managing Director of global business selling designer wedding dresses to bridal shops. Sometimes the best things in life are the unexpected. When 2021 brought intense challenges navigating a business through covid lockdowns, Jeanette received a surprise birthday gift from her husband of a potters wheel, where she discovered incredible calm & stress release in a hobby that had been on her bucket list since a child. Six lessons later and hours of Youtube binge watching and she is totally addicted and passionate about Clay. In two short years she has built a home studio and documented her journey on Instagram and You Tube, having the best time ever in her happy place.

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Keeping Tests Going | Eric Ordway | Episode 952

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Eric Ordway | Episode 952

Eric Ordway is a potter and teacher currently living and working in Columbia, MO. Eric makes wheel-thrown and altered pots that are finished in high, atmospheric kilns. Eric’s work is influenced by his blue-collar roots, his interest in spirituality, and fantasy. Eric recently was nominated as a 2023 Emerging Artist by Ceramics Monthly.

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A Path Into More Ceramics | Harley Weigle | Episode 951

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Harley Weigle | Episode 951

Harley Weigle is a Ceramic Artist and Art Educator interested in functional vessels as a bridge to deepen relationships and explore identity. Harley received his bachelors of Fine Arts from Shippensburg University and attended the University of Florida for a Post-Bacc in Ceramics. This fall Harley will graduate from Kutztown University with his Masters in Art Education.

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She Is From Mexico And The US | AnaLuz Sainz Rodriguez | Episode 950

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AnaLuz Sainz Rodriguez | Episode 950

AnaLuz Sainz Rodriguez was born in Michoacan in Mexico but now lives in Kalamazoo, MI with her family. AnaLuz has been practicing pottery for 3 years now and is currently an intern at Troy Bungart Studios where she also produces her work.

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Overcoming Anxiety to Grow A Business | Miranda Trostle | Episode 949

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Miranda Trostle | Episode 949

After years of play and study with clay, Miranda Trostle founded Sego Lily Pottery in 2015. By creating vessels with intention that explore the balance of aesthetics and utility, Miranda’s work seeks to elevate the rituals of daily life. Having worked primarily with electric oxidation firings, Miranda is excited to begin exploring wood and gas reduction environments and learning to fire different types of kilns.

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Making Connections With Art | Michal Karen Gelman | Episode 948

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Michal Karen Gelman | Episode 948

Michal Karen Gelman makes contemporary functional ceramic homeware. Michal finds herself drawn to the functional, but at the same time, she sees the material, as she touches the evergreen. Michal is fascinated by this connection. She loves to take a surface, a clay sheet, fold it, gives it a capacity, and create a container. plays with the rough and the delicate, the horizontal and the widthwise, movement versus stillness. What attracts and drives Michal forward, is the contact with the material itself, the traditional forms, and the way to unravel it. Freefolding is Michal’s studio brand.

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World Building With Clay | Gabs Conway | Episode 947

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Gabs Conway | Episode 947

Gabs Conway is a sculptural ceramic artist based in Missoula Montana. Having grown up in Missoula, she was excited to return – as she relentlessly considers it home – after earning her BFA at the University of Wisconsin – Stout. Gabs’ work stems from the playful, mundane experiences of living. She explores relationships, such as that of siblings, friends, and lovers. Interested in creating forms for the reflection of human experience; asking the viewer to consider their appreciation of life, and to humble the adornment of our physicality. Gabs remains curious of the inherent biological responses of living, and what it means to exist together in an ever changing world.

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Getting The Business Started | Tanner Gerstburger | Episode 946

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Tanner Gerstburger | Episode 946

Ever since Tanner Gerstberger was young, he has had a yearning to create. Like many teenagers, Tanner found his first love in high school. Only Tanner’s was the pottery wheel. Tanner took as many classes as he could and increased his skills to the point where Tanner was showcasing his art in local shows and competitions.Taking the plunge to being a full-time, economically challenged artist is a tough step to make. Tanner’s plan was to pursue a degree in Construction Management at Colorado State University so that one day he would be able to save up enough money to do pottery full time. Dr. T was a nickname given to him by his friends in college. Eventually, word spread of Tanner’s new nickname and his family decided to surprise him with a stunning, orange, neon sign as a gift, adding further sentiment to the name. Now the sign has become a symbol of Tanner’s art and he realized the name Dr. T was here to stay.

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A Veteran Potter Tells Her Story | Bebe Federmann | Episode 945

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Bebe Federmann | Episode 945

Bebe Federmann Designs specializes in functional ceramics that are made to be used, whether it is for a special gathering or as your everyday tableware. Made in small batches, and limited editions, these handmade wares are created to make the home, and rituals of mealtime, more beautiful and meaningful. Bebe resides in New York, and splits her time between Long Island and New York City.

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He Made An Escape Plan | Jacques Monneraud | Episode 944

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Jacques Monneraud | Episode 944

Jacques Monneraud is a studio potter based in the south west region of France. Jacques’ wheel-thrown objects are mainly functional. Jacques has discovered ceramics a little over two years ago at the time of this post and has done everything to pursue the dream of becoming a ceramist ever since. Potters and neophytes can follow his journey on Instagram, where he documents his day by day evolution in the field.

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