Author Archive: Paul Blais

Putting On A Show | Constance Stotzer | Episode 878

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Constance Stotzer | Episode 878

Currently residing in Las Vegas, Constance Stotzer graduated from California College of Arts and Crafts with a BFA and a major in sculptural ceramics. After a few years teaching special education Constance transitioned into becoming an Art Specialist in elementary school. Constance was involved with the foundation of Clay Arts Vegas, a local ceramic studio and loving clay community. Currently, Constance is a high school ceramics instructor.

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Being In A Tourist Town | Michelle Valigura | Episode 877

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Michelle Valigura | Episode 877

Michelle Valigura is a sculptor, with a primary focus on ceramics. Her background designing for stop motion animation (including Elf, and the Simpsons) and her love of mid century design have built a foundation for a strong sense of color and aesthetics that can be seen translated in her work. In 2007 she formed her own design company Switcheroo, which led to licensing her work to to Disneyland, Kidrobot, Paradise Toys, and other art brands. She has exhibited her work, lectured and taught workshops at galleries, museums, and universities worldwide. In 2019 Michelle moved back to her roots in the Pacific Northwest where she opened Basalt that functions as her working studio and showroom in downtown Cannon Beach. Along with her work she features other artists and crafts of locals and people she has met in her career that she admires.

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Know Like & Trust | Dee Hunt | Episode 876

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Dee Hunt | Episode 876

Dee Hunt is a retired lady in her 60’s who found clay some 20 years ago when she worked in the commercial world. Making pots became Dee’s way of keeping sane! Now those working days are over and Dee can devote her days to being in her studio.  Dee hand builds with stoneware clay and makes unusual and contemporary vessels for both home and garden. Dee’s inspiration comes from her environment… the textures and colours she uses are indicative of the agricultural and coastal landscape where Dee lives.

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Finding What You Want | Bekah Bliss | Episode 875

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Bekah Bliss | Episode 875

Bekah Bliss is a ceramic artist living in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. Bekah received a BFA in Ceramics and a BSED in Art Education from Missouri State University in 2016. Recently selected as one of Ceramic Monthly’s Emerging Artists, Bekah’s functional ceramics are carefully considered — utilizing textured surfaces, modeled on elements of nature and architecture. In 2019, Bekah joined the KC Urban Potters, an artist collective that’s expanding the visibility of contemporary studio pottery through public lectures and curated exhibitions, alongside events like the Midwest Pottery Festival. Bekah currently teaches monthly classes at the Belger Arts Center and is the part-time studio manager for 323CLAY.

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From Cameroon to Nigeria | Nathalie Djakou Kassi | Episode 874

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Nathalie Djakou Kassi | Episode 874

Nathalie Djakou Kassi is a Cameroonian ceramicist practicing over 30years with several group exhibitions in and out of Africa. Nathalie has been living in Nigeria since 2015. Nathalie is inspired by everything that attracts her attention and her works are more on carving with different topics

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Solving Problems With Clay | Kadri Kunnus | Episode 873

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Kadri Kunnus | Episode 873

There is something special about a handmade mug that breaks the mundane madness and connects you to the artist, and through it, to the moment where you recognize the love and beauty of life. It’s those moments Kadri Kunnus makes pottery.

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Making In Collections | Tini Pinto | Episode 872

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Tini Pinto | Episode 872

All art is an osmosis of sensory stimuli into a physical manifestation of our experiences. Tini Pinto is the consummate artist. Tini’s primary mediums are ceramics and oil on canvas. Tini has lived an adventurous life, traveling and living around the world. Tini finds inspiration in the physical world and creativity in a metaphysical one. Tini creates work that expresses her joy and transcends the expected.

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