Author Archive: Paul Blais

Testing an Idea | Anna Whitehouse | Episode 537

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Anna Whitehouse | Episode 537

Based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK, Anna Whitehouse’s work has evolved from growing up in the region and spending time outdoors. From scrambling over rocks in the Yorkshire Dales to scouring the beach for fossils near Whitby, a love of landscape, natural forms and exploration can be seen echoed in Anna’s work. Ultimately Anna aims to create beautiful and intriguing objects that awaken a childlike sense of wonder and appreciation of the natural world.

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A Woodfire Conference is On The Way | Joe Robinson | Episode 536

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Joe Robinson | Episode 536

Joe Robinson is the co-owner and steward of the historic East Creek Anagama wood fired kiln. Nestled on 20 acres in Oregon’s coastal mountains, East Creek is a community art studio and retreat. Joe will share news about the upcoming NW Wood Firing Conference in June 2020, which is being organized by the East Creek team.

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Building a Vision and Making an Impact with Joe Robinson

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Some lessons are caught. I am hoping this is the case for this story that Joe tells about restoring East Creek. So as Joe tells the story you will hear at least four distinct lessons:

1- Seeing a need. Where there is a vacuum, there is an opportunity.

2- Steps of faith creates visions. As he moved forward with the purchase of East Creek the vision grew beyond himself and to the community.

3- Sweat on the brow brings results on the ground. Work changes things.

4- Success in changing lives. When you set out to do something bigger than yourself, bigger things come.

To listen in, click HERE.

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Planting the Dream and Watching it Grow | Julia Kofman | Episode 535

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Julia Kofman | Episode 535

Julia Kofman is a full time ceramic artist. Julia works in her home studio in Ramat Gan in Israel. Julia was born in Moscow, and in 2018 she moved to Israel with her husband and children. Julia is selling her works twice a week in Nachlat Binyamin Artists Fair of Tel Aviv, which is a famous street market of handmade, supported by municipality of Tel Aviv.

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A New Designer’s Story | Lukas Easton | Episode 534

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Lukas Easton | Episode 534

Lukas Easton is from Homer Alaska. Lukas recieved his BFA from the university of Alaska anchorage. Lukas is currently teaching at the Rochester institute of technology and is an independent designer for Jenggala in Bali Indonesia. In the summers Lukas works in Alaska commercial fishing and this fall will be attending Alfred university for graduate school.

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Talking Terra Sig | Rhonda Willers | Episode 533

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Rhonda Willers | Episode 533

terra sigillata surface filled with raw grolleg kaolin, photo credit: Jessie Ann Wade

Focusing on fragility and subtle strength, Rhonda Willers creates art with repetitive forms and markings reflecting on memories and nature through diverse materiality. Rhonda is the author of Terra Sigillata: Contemporary Techniques. Rhonda studied at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls (BFA) and University of Nebraska-Lincoln (MFA). Rhonda is a studio artist, author, mother, and NCECA Board Steward located in Elk Mound, Wisconsin.

Echo I, coil built earthenware, terra sigillata, cone 03 soda fired, photo credit: Larry Gawel

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Writing a Book with Rhonda Willers

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Many people have that desire of writing a book, but what is that process like? Rhonda Willers walks us through the process of how to pick the topic and what steps she took to complete the book. I love that the glamour of writing a book is taken away through this discussion and she just gets practical and lets us know what she did. If you would like to listen in to this bonisode, then click HERE.

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Being a Production Potter with Anja Bartels

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Anja talks through what it looks like to be a production potter. Part of the work is just putting the head down and getting the work done regardless of feelings. She also talks about how to balance creativity and “selling out” and how there is a real way to look at that “conflict”. This is a real life look at making it all happen. To listen in to this bonisode by clicking HERE.

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