Author Archives: Paul Blais

Out Of The Gate and Killing It | Em Piscopo | Episode 835

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Em Piscopo | Episode 835

Em Piscopo stumbled into ceramics nearly 2.5 years ago in an attempt to discover my creative side after letting my analytical side take the reigns for too long. The connection was instantaneous, and Em fell in love hard and fast with the medium of clay. Em could never in her wildest dreams have anticipated making pieces that would someday be passed from her hands to those of family and friends, old and new, all over the map. The heart of Nightshade is, and in some ways has always been, finding the intersections between art and science, style and function, and to bring a bit of magic into everyday life.

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Chasing Down An Idea | Mandy Henebry | Episode 834

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Mandy Henebry | Episode 834

Mandy Henebry has been working with clay for almost 3 decades. Mandy’s work is a reflection of her love for home décor, and entertaining with food. Soft colors and tactile patterns grace the surfaces of her pottery. Mandy currently lives in Boise, Idaho working as a full-time studio potter.

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Learning From Others | Amanda Bartel | Episode 833

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Amanda Bartel | Episode 833

I began working with clay in 2011 when I asked a cashier to teach me pottery. Since then, I have worked in and built multiple studios nationally and internationally. I make functional pieces born from an inner stillness and I strive to help my students find their own stillness through my teaching.

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How To Not Care | Amanda Fangue | Episode 832

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Amanda Fangue | Episode 832

If Amanda had known she would one day be a professional potter, she would have taken more than Introduction to Pottery in college! Amanda was re-introduced to ceramics while stationed in Germany (2008) on a US military instillation that had several recreational centers, one of which had pottery wheels and a kiln. Since then Amanda has primarily been self taught through through research, asking a lot of questions, and trial and error. Amanda’s work is 100% designed and handcrafted by herself. Her bubble designs are relatively new. Amanda uses a combination of underglazes, overglazes, and decals.

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A Clay Pickett | Chris Pickett | Episode 831

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Chris Pickett | Episode 831

Chris received his BFA from the University of Tennessee and his MFA from the University of Florida. Chris served as a long term Resident Fellow at the Archie Bray Foundation from 2012 to 2014. Chris currently resides in Pocatello, Idaho, and serves as an Assistant Professor at Idaho State University.

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Some Of The Whys Of Being Discovered | Raina Lee | Episode 830

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Raina Lee | Episode 830

Raina Lee is an artist based in Los Angeles and works in clay and experimental glazes. Raina’s practice draws from ceramics history, archeology, and burial objects, and objects from her family’s past. Raina began in clay making functional works and has recently started making sculptural pieces.

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Pottery Boutique Goes Mobil | Kylie Osmond | Episode 829

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Kylie Osmond | Episode 829

Kylie Osmond is a mostly self taught potter and the owner of Smiley Seahorse Ceramics, a business that she runs full-time with help from her husband, Tim, in New Brunswick, Canada. Kylie and Tim make colorful ocean inspired pottery that they sell online and out of their mobile boutique – a 6×10 cargo trailer converted into a tiny nautical store.

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PIP Coffee & Tea | Mara Friedman, Casey Bonnem, & Tom Budzak | Episode 828

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Mara Friedman, KC Bonnem, & Tom Budzak | Episode 828

KC Bonnem, Mara Fiedman, & Tom Budzak

Mara & KC are a couple of graphic designers who live in the Phoenix metro area. KC was a hand builder in college and Mara became obsessed with wheel throwing just a few years ago. They started to look for a studio space outside of their laundry room and when they couldn’t find one, they decided to create one. Like all little ideas, it snowballed, and before they knew it, they were opening a full-blown public ceramics studio and coffee shop/wine bar.

Tom started working with clay in middle school and has continued to work in the medium ever since for 25 plus years. He is based out of Tempe, AZ who creates functional and sculptural objects. All dots are individually applied one by one and all work is food, microwave and dishwasher safe. Tom earned his BFA from Arizona State University and his MFA from New Mexico State University both with an emphasis in ceramics. He is currently an adjunct professor at South Mountain Community College and instructor at PIP Coffee and Clay.

KC Bonnem, Mara Fiedman

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Going Deeper | Jacob Vinson | Episode 827

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Jacob Vinson | Episode 827

Jacob Vinson originates from high desert plains of Wyoming, although he now calls Michigan home. Jacob has been working as a ceramic artist for over fifteen years and his fascination with the medium only continues to grow. In 2009 Jacob received his BFA from Utah State University, and in 2021 he received his MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Jacob’s studio practice primarily revolves around but is not limited to utilitarian craft and the material science that is clay.

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Big Pots. Tons of Clay | Cameron Williams | Episode 826

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Cameron Williams | Episode 826

Cameron Williams works to Order specializing in large wheel formed planter commissions for Shopping centres, office blocks and homes. Cameron’s journey began 40 years ago at East Sydney Techical College, where students learned all aspects of the craft. Cameron did an apprenticeship followed with Errol Barnes followed by his first big commission which was Australia’s New Parliament House.

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