Author Archive: Paul Blais

Leaving Communist China Back When It Was Dangerous | John Cheer | Episode 693

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John Cheer | Episode 693

John Cheer does about 24 shows per year, primarily along the east coast and the South, but has gone as far as Texas, Colorado, and Arizona. John has won over 85 awards for his work over the years at fine art and craft shows. John has been featured in Ceramics Monthly and Crafts Report and exhibited his “Soul Search” lamp and fountain at the State Museum in Harrisburg, PA. RCN’s Channel 53, Ebru TV’s “Blank Canvas” segment featured John in February, 2010, Season 2:4. “Mandalas For World Peace” outdoor sculpture 5’x9′

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Tropically Inspired Potter | Ana Leal | Episode 692

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Ana Leal | Episode 692

Ana Leal is originally from Brazil and came to the US when she was eighteen to attend College. Ana fell in love with Pottery in 2011 by accident, when she joined a Pottery/Ceramics club through her work, which quickly became her passion. Now a retired Aeronautical Engineer and with her 3D Computer Aided Design background has given Ana an advantage when working with clay. Ana makes one of a kind wheel-thrown, altered, and carved pieces. Ana describes her work as tropical inspired with a 3-D surface texture that begs to be touched. She uses porcelain mainly for its translucency and whiteness which it’s like no other. Ana is hoping to make a positive impact on people’s lives through her art.

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Wisdom from a Teacher | Catie Webster | Episode 691

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Catie Webster | Episode 690

Catie Webster is a potter and public high school art teacher. Catie is driven to make Art that you want to pick up, use, and enjoy Catie’s art serves a purpose, has a function, and looks beautiful in your home. Catie is inspired by nature and the colors of New Hampshire landscapes.

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Her Creative Approach to Clay | Anna Valenti | Episode 690

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Anna Valenti | Episode 690

Anna Valenti weaves and pinches clay vessels ranging from pots to chairs to screens. Anna graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2014 with her BA, practiced there again in 2017 as a ceramics post-baccalaureate student, and received her MFA from the Maine College of Art in 2020. Anna is the recipient of the 2020 NCECA Graduate Student Fellowship. Anna’s research is in hemp clay bodies.

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Dealing with Covid Isolation | Carla Sealey | Episode 689

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Carla Sealey | Episode 689

Carla Sealey  founded Naked Clay Ceramics which is a collection of handmade, minimal style ceramics in porcelain and black stoneware. Inspired by the colours and textures of the earth, the feel of natural, unglazed clay allows a tactile connection, bringing an opportunity to pause and savour a quiet moment in the hustle of life.

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Reverse Engineering Your Finances | Claire & Elise Surma | Episode 688

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Claire & Elise Surma | Episode 688

Claire and Elise Surma are the sister-in-law duo with a passion for clay, community, and customer care. Claire and Elise started making pots for friends and family in a small corner of our home garage. After running into hiccups with purchasing making materials, our pottery hobby quickly spun into a larger business idea. At Garage Clay Claire and Elise aim to make ceramics more accessible to potters at any point in their creative journey. At both garageclay.com and at their physical retail shop, Claire and Elise sell clay, glazes, pottery tools, their own line of comfy clay-approved swag, and their own select finished pots.

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Ceramics Instead of Science | Andi Hoffmann | Episode 687

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Andi Hoffmann | Episode 687

Andi Hoffmann started her journey with clay in 2013, taking a local pottery class and getting her hands messy in lots of drop in studio hours. After studying biology and conservation science at the University of Victoria, Andi combined her love of nature with her love of art and started Hoff the Grid Goods in 2017. Working out of a small studio in Victoria, BC, Canada, Andi creates west coast, nature-inspired functional ceramics, where each design tells a story. Andi’s hope is that her work inspires mindful, compassionate living.

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Making Around Collections with Andi Hoffmann

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One of the things about creativity is that it tends to do well with direction. Sometimes we don’t know that direction when we start, but by the time the piece is finished, its taken a specific path. One of the things about Andi’s work is that it lines up with a series or collection that she can then direct her creativity towards. And it has made all the difference for her. To listen in the the conversation, click HERE.

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