With the amazing popularity of TikTok on the rise, it is important to understand both the platform and opportunities. In this conversation Aba gives us some insights on how to use TikTok as a marketing tool. To listen in on this conversation click HERE.
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Tarragon Smith | Episode 764
Tarragon Smith was born and raised in Canada, but is currently living in the UK. Tarragon’s background is in fine art with a BFA and MA in fine art. Through a natural progression Tarragon has moved into ceramics and makes esoteric functional ware and non-functional ware. Tarragon also teaches adult evening classes.
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Silvia Vega | Episode 763
Silvia Vega, born and raised in Guatemala, is currently a ceramic student at Lone Star College Montgomery, located near Houston, Texas, under the instruction of Professor Charles Wood. Silvia had the opportunity to explore various museums in Europe, finally settling down to live in Paris, France. Silvia had intentions of finally entering an art program, but the school she applied for had a waiting list of years! Despite these obstacles, Silvia’s love for art never waned. In 2017, at the age of 44, Silvia decided to finally fulfill her dream of pursuing an art degree. Silvia was captivated by her first ceramics class where she realized her passion was using clay as a canvas for her creativity. When Silvia’s hands aren’t busy caring for her three children, they are molding, sculpting, and drawing. Only recently has Silvia begun to enter her work into shows. In her second semester at Lone Star College Silvia won first place in a juried art show. Silvia has been published for three consecutive years in the school magazine, Swirl Magazine, which features selected students’ fine arts and writing. Silvia continues to pour her heart into her pottery as she explores various techniques and finds new ways to express her creativity.
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Nicola Moore | Episode 763
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Alison Thyra Grubb | Episode 761
Alison Thyra Grubb makes iridescent ceramic jewelry and homeware in her studio in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Alison graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2019 where she studied 3D design, specializing in ceramics. Alison’s geometric ceramics are made using a combination of slip casting and 3D printing and are decorated using colour changing lustre glazes.
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Brian Chen | Episode 760
Brian Chen is from New Jersey and discovered ceramics in college in 2014 and has since spent most of his time trying to learn as much as he could. Brian took a few workshops before finding himself working with Simon Levin as an apprentice. Brian finished his apprenticeship at the end of 2020 and is currently a resident artist at Carbondale Clay Center.
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Brian R Jones | Episode 759
Brian R. Jones grew up in Syracuse, NY and is now an artist living and working in Portland, OR. He has been a resident artist at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, ME and The Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA. He has earned degrees from The New York 
State College of Ceramics (BFA) and Southern Methodist University (MFA). He was a presenter at the Utilitarian Clay VI: Celebrate the Object at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in September 2012. In 2013, Jones was selected as an Emerging Artist by the National Council on the Education in the Ceramic Arts.Continue reading
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George Metropolous McCauley | Episode 758
George Metropoulos McCauley, a Greek/American potter, has had 30 solo shows and has been included in 400 exhibitions. He has taught and conducted workshops internationally. The recipient of 4 National Endowment for the Arts grants and the prestigious Roy Acuff Chair of Excellence for the Arts at Austin Peay State University in Clarkesville, TN, his pottery and sculpture are included in international collections in 12 countries. Among the books and periodicals to feature his work are: Teapots, 21st Century Ceramics in the United States and Canada, The Best of Pottery (editions 1 and 2), Contemporary Ceramics, Wheel Thrown Ceramics, Ceramic Sculpture: Inspiring Techniques , Glazes: Materials, Recipes and Techniques, The International Teapot Exhibition in Shanghai, 500 Vases and 500 Platters, 500 Teapots . Ceramics Monthly, The Chinese Potter’s Newsletter, Ceramics Monthly of Korea, Ceramics: Art and Perception. McCauley continues to have a busy workshop and exhibition schedule and still finds time to produce his own local television show,” George’s House of Interesting Things” on HCTV , and “GHOC Wednesday Night Videos on the internet. He has 2 films to his credit, “Archie C. Bray, Life at the Brickyard” 2008 and “Ron Meyers and the Usual Suspects” 2013. Additionally McCauley has been working with the low income and disabled community for 50 years. He maintains a studio at his home in Helena, Montana where he makes colorful earthenware pots, high temperature wood firing, earthenware wood firing and narrative sculpture. Along the way he has worked as a chef in a Greek restaurant, Formula 4 Racecar mechanic and driver, fulltime cowboy/horse trainer, concrete inspector, aluminum siding salesman, western catalog model, lifeguard and carpenter.
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Jolene Hewison | Episode 757
Jolene Hewison is a ceramicist working from the beautiful Margaret River Region in Western Australia. Jolene’s work is design focused, with the aim of incorporating both aesthetic and functional qualities in interesting ways. Jolene loves the idea of making work that can feel special and be of use in every day life.
Having a designer background, Jolene brings a unique angle on the idea of design. She addresses things like practicality, what the user will think, and much more. The thoughts shared here helps her approach and design her ceramics. To listen in on this conversation, click HERE.