Getting to Know the Man Behind FrankArts.com | Tommy Frank | Episode 775

Tommy Frank | Episode 775

Tommy Frank was born and raised in Florida.  Tommy received his B.A. in Ceramics from Asbury University (KY) and his M.F.A in Ceramics from Bowling Green State University (OH).  In between Tommy was awarded three residencies: Morean Center for Clay (FL), Archie Bray Foundation (MT) summer residency and Odyssey ClayWorks (NC).  He also attended the post-baccalaureate program at the University of Florida before going to graduate school.  For nine years, Tommy was the Studio Manager at Belger Crane Yard Studios (MO).  When he left that position, Tommy was supervising the Residency program, adult and children’s education programming, Studio Membership program and retail clay supply at Crane Yard Clay.  Since 2020, Tommy has been the founder and CEO of FrankArts, an online platform that produces and hosts virtual workshops for artists.  The mission of FrankArts is to make artist presenters and their workshop presentations accessible to a global audience while generating sustainable income for artists.

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He’s On All the Platforms | Stephen Salter | Episode 774

Stephen Salter | Episode 774

Stephen Salter Pottery was founded in 2018 in Rockwall, Texas. Currently running and selling out of San Marcos Texas. When in college Stephen found his love for ceramic art when taking an elective class with Julie Blackstone. Very quickly it became one of the big centers of Stephen’s life. Stephen started by selling custom work and doing shows, in 2021 he moved to San Marcos to apprentice at The Barn Pottery. Stephen now lives and works in San Marcos continuing his ceramic business with a focus in functional pottery.

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Pros & Cons of a Shared Studio vs Private Studio | Isaih Porter | Episode 773

Isaih Porter | Episode 773

Isaih Porter, born and raised in California, is a young potter who currently works, teaches, and lives in Santa Barbara. At the beginning of the pandemic, Isaih was laid off from his job in game-development and took it as a sign (or maybe an excuse) to shift careers. Now, Isaih has created a small pottery business, began teaching regularly, produces work for other potters, and even converted an old electric kiln into his very own down-draft propane kiln.

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The Power of Encouragement | Maddy Kelly | Episode 772

Maddy Kelly | Episode 772

Maddy Kelly grew up on an island off the coast of New Jersey, participating in ceramics programs since 6th grade. Maddy went to college and studied nutrition, public health, and then got her master’s degree in health psychology. Maddy made a new year’s resolution to breathe more energy into ceramics in 2018.

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“It’s Not Going To Happen At Me” | Doug Rubenstein | Episode 771

Doug Rubenstein | Episode 771

Doug Rubenstein is a potter living in Northern California and is inspired by exploring the intersections between nature and people in his work. Prior to working as a potter full time, Doug was an early childhood teacher for 5 years in New York City and decided to focus on his passion for art in 2020 by starting his own small business, Fifth Season Studio, and moving back to the West Coast.

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“I Wanna Milk The Cosmic Cow For All Its Worth” | Molly Walter | Episode 770

Molly Walter | Episode 770

Molly Walter creates sculptural and functional ceramics with a focus on deeply carved patterns. Molly is a graduate of Haywood Community College’s professional craft program. Originally from Illinois, Molly has lived and worked a variety of jobs in Western North Carolina since 2009. March 2021 marks Molly’s first attempt at working full time in the studio.

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A Jeweler Became a Potter | Emma Baird | Episode 769

Emma Baird | Episode 769

Emma Baird is a jeweler in Edinburgh, Scotland, who started her adventures with Clay in 2019.  Emma started out by making some simple plaster molds and slip casting porcelain that she coloured with mason stains, before trying out some experimental glaze pours on slab built stoneware plates. Emma’s discovery of the endless possibilities with glazing led her to switch from porcelain to mainly work with stoneware and she finally got a wheel in March 2021. Emma’s homewares are bright and colourful and put the fun into functional!

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Some Talk About Pricing | Laura Crosland | Episode 768

Laura Crosland | Episode 768

Laura Crosland creates wheel thrown pottery intricately carved with geometric patterns and distinctive glazes, alongside a range of tableware in her studio in St Ives, Cornwall. Laura studied ceramics at Wolverhampton University before working for potters Peter Beard and Penny Simpson before 2 years at the Leach Pottery as a production potter.

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Some Tips on Photo Setups | Paul Lowe | Episode 767

Paul Lowe | Episode 767

Paul Lowe Was born and raised in Oslo Norway where he spent his childhood cooking and crafting with his Grandmother. Paul worked as a food and prop stylist all over Europe before settling in NYC 15 years ago. Paul’s love of ceramics started 7 years ago after taking a class…. It was love at first slab. Paul describes his style as heavily influenced by his Nordic heritage with clean and simple lines and colors. Today Paul lives and works in Palm Springs with husband James and 3 dogs.

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