Yoshi Fuji spends hours carving intricate patterns drawn from kimono and Japanese wrapping paper on each of his forms. In our interview we talk about his approach to pattern and his relationship with Baltimore Clayworks, where he has been a resident, instructor, and now Director of Exhibitions. Yoshi Fuji Ceramics Baltimore Clayworks Today’s episod…

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews Shawna Pincus a potter who shares her journey from initially pursuing photography to falling in love with pottery. Shawna discusses how being a mother has influenced her growth as an artist and provides insights into balancing motherhood with her full-time pottery career. She als…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. Today, we're diving into the concept of enjoying the journey. Maybe we need to enjoy the journey and not rush and stress about getting t…

In this episode, Nic Torres explores the benefits of scaling your pottery up or down to enhance your skills. He shares insights from his own experience, where making tiny sculptures revealed gaps in his technique for larger pieces. Nic explains that beginners should start with smaller projects to learn the basics before attempting larger ones. He e…

In this episode, Nic Torres addresses the common issue of losing the spark for pottery or art over time. He explores why we initially fall in love with pottery, the challenges we face, and how repetitive tasks can lead to boredom and loss of joy. Nic shares personal experiences and insights from an interview with pottery teacher 'Supporters Farts S…

In this episode of 'Shape Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews Tzipporah Schvarcz, a passionate potter who shares her thoughts on the importance of creative freedom in ceramics. They discuss the negative impact of rigid rules on artistic expression and the value of exploring different techniques, even if one feels inexperienced. Tzipporah reco…

Rebecca and Scott Proctor formed Nom Ceramics in 2019 after years of working in the same studio. Their functional and sculptural collaborations are glazed with layers of patterns that melt together in their soda kiln firings. In our interview we talk about their path to collaboration, their method for building surfaces, and how they balance parenti…

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery with Nic Torres,' Nic shares three practical methods to simplify your art-making process. He emphasizes the importance of breaking down complex projects into smaller, manageable steps, limiting the materials and tools used to foster creativity, and the value of questioning whether you're genuinely passionate…

In this episode of Shaping Pottery, Nic interviews Molly Walter, a passionate potter and artist who transitioned from various art forms like painting, drawing, and sculpture into the world of ceramics. Molly shares her philosophy on abandoning the 'one right way' of pottery, encouraging experimentation and personal growth. She discusses her journey…

John Born is an artist working in sculpture and drawing based in New York City. In his recent show at Curatorial and Co. in Sydney he showed a series of his signature composite forms made from stacked ceramic shapes. In our interview we talk about his start in ceramics, the role improvisation plays in his sculpture, and the series of portals he mad…

In this episode, Nic Torres offers practical advice for individuals looking to get back into pottery after taking a long break. He discusses common challenges such as busy schedules and life commitments, providing three key tips to rebuild the habit of making pottery: engaging in art as often as possible, dedicating just five minutes a day to makin…

Should You Simplify Your Art? Insights and Practical Advice In this episode, Nic Torres reflects on a conversation with artist Laura Williams about the complexities of art creation and whether simplifying art can be beneficial. Laura shared an anecdote about receiving advice to simplify her work to enjoy the process more and to make her pieces easi…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC. In this episode, I have a discussion with my virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. We explore how Cost Structures are crucial for crafting a successful business model in the creat…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Mike Griffin shares his journey and insights in the pottery world. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, experimenting with new techniques, and seeking inspiration from fellow potters. From his initial discovery of pottery at Alfred University to his innovative approach to hand-building and hi…

Ashlyn Pope is a ceramic and fiber artist of Gullah descent who describes her work as representing “restriction and limitation of the Black body throughout American history, and the hope and vision to realize a different future.” In our interview we talk about integrating woven elements into ceramic vessels, educating through art, and her recent fi…

In this episode, Nic Torres explores the critical differences between play and practice in pottery. Drawing from his high school sports experience, Nic emphasizes the importance of both experimentation (play) and focused skill improvement (practice) in developing one's pottery craft. He discusses how blending play into pottery helps to break the mo…

Laura Williams on Play, Practice, and Teaching In this episode of 'Shape Your Pottery,' Laura Williams challenges commonly held beliefs in the pottery community, particularly the notions that formal degrees are essential for teaching and that pottery is an easy, idyllic profession. She shares personal anecdotes about her journey from theater to pot…

Rhonda Willers uses functional pottery, sculptural vessels, and installation to focus on ideas of fragility and the passage of time. In our interview we talk about her 2019 installation Alone Together, her work in ceramics, and her book Terra Sigillata: Contemporary Techniques. We also discuss her philosophy of service work and her podcast The Arti…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Nick Torres shares his recent experience of getting glasses and draws a parallel to making art. He emphasizes that small, almost imperceptible adjustments can have significant impacts on your artwork. Rather than making large changes, Nick suggests focusing on tiny, incremental modifications to see clearer r…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Nic Torres emphasizes that art, including pottery, has no strict rules. He shares personal experiences about how different techniques work for different individuals and highlights the importance of experimenting to find what works best for oneself. The episode also touches on the variety of preferences in de…

Welcome to The Pin Tool Podcast, where we shape, mold, and explore the art of pottery and the journeys of creative minds. I'm your host, Al Wayman of Creek Road Pottery LLC, and today we're diving into a topic that many of us face but seldom talk about—imposter syndrome. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, the feeling of not bein…

In this episode, Nic shares three essential secrets that significantly contributed to his growth as a potter. The first secret emphasizes the importance of quickly learning from failures. The second secret highlights the value of surrounding oneself with a community of like-minded artists and leveraging platforms such as Instagram and community stu…

What is up Shaping Nation I created a community for potters called The Clay Games (originally called shaping our pottery) You can kind of think of it like the great pottery throwdown but for everyone the idea of this community came about because I wanted to help potters like yourself to grow and find your own unique voice with your pottery and what…

Nic Torres interviews Michelle, a passionate potter who shares her journey from initial failures to discovering her unique voice in pottery, particularly through her innovative knitted porcelain creations. Michelle talks about the importance of testing before big projects, the influence of her creative family, and the pivotal experiences that led h…

Through an interview with Sarah Connor, we learn the significance of having a theme in pottery. Sarah changes her theme monthly, maintaining her style's integrity while avoiding boredom and fostering creativity. The host encourages artists to adopt a new theme every month to keep their work exciting and fresh. The Questions we ask will determine ho…

Nick Lenker draws from video games to make ceramic sculptures that seem to have jumped right out of a pixelated computer screen into real life. In our interview we talk about his process of building with slabs before applying custom decals, investigating memory through subject matter, and how Philadelphia has shaped his creative life. www.nicklenke…

Overcoming Doubts: How to Keep Growing as an Artist In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery with Nic Torres, Nic addresses the common feeling artists have of doubting their own work. He offers practical advice on overcoming self-comparison, staying motivated, seeking inspiration, and continually improving one's craft. Nic emphasizes the importance …

Finding Your Artistic Voice with Christy: The Journey of a Potter In this episode of Shaping Pottery, host Nic Torres welcomes Christy Culp, an accomplished potter, to discuss her journey into the world of pottery. Christy highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with fellow artists for growth and inspiration. She shares her story of discov…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. In this episode, Alford has a discussion with his virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. They explore how Key Pa…

What is up everyone I recently did a virtual workshop with Mike Cerv about How to Handbuild a Goblet Cup and I learned and enjoyed this workshop so much that I decided to post the replay here I also decided to give the full video of the workshop for free as well if you want to follow along with the workshop click below to get the full video Free Wo…

Lisa Orr started working with low-fire ceramics decades ago, moving through majolica before developing a unique psychedelic color palette. In our interview we talk about matching thermal expansion of clay and glaze, side stacking glaze wares, and developing aventurine glazes. www.lisaorr.com Lisa is one of many artists featured in my upcoming book …

Is Slip Casting in Pottery Cheating? Debunking Myths and Embracing Tools In this episode, Nic Torres explores the concept of slip casting in pottery and addresses whether it should be seen as 'cheating.' Initially biased towards the traditional pottery wheel, Nic discusses his evolving perspective, emphasizing that slip casting is simply another to…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Julianne Roush shares her inspirational journey as a full-time potter. She discusses how positive quotes on her pottery helped her through personal struggles and connected with others, the influence of mentors and the internet on her career, and the evolution of her unique style inspired by carnivals, circus…

Kathleen Clark is an award-winning photographer, whose career includes numerous exhibitions and serving as Photo Director for Los Angeles magazine and LA Weekly. Her series The White House China, depicts historical events from each American president presented on their formal state dinnerware. In our interview we talk about her inclusion in The Gir…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, host Nic Torres shares invaluable advice from sculptor Oscar, emphasizing the importance of mastering the basic form before experimenting with pottery. Nic recounts his own experience learning to throw a cylinder and highlights how this foundational skill is crucial for any pottery technique, whether sculpti…

in this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' the host discusses the invaluable insights gained from interviewing sculptors, emphasizing how their unconventional techniques and multidimensional thinking can significantly enhance pottery skills. The host explains the innovative approach sculptors take, such as creating a piece fully before hollowing it…

Once we make the changes, we may thank our past selves for dying a death on Memorial Day, as we are so much better off on the new path we chose to take. So run, Alcestis, from that fiery pit. THE POTTERY DAILIES AlcestisMemorial Day and Sunk Cost. https://substack.com/home/post/p-145025893 Written By, Alford Wayman Artist/Owner Creek Road Pottery L…

In this episode of AP Pottery, host Nic Torres speaks with Peyton Lawler, a passionate ceramic artist, about her journey in the world of pottery. Peyton discusses the importance of curiosity and exploration in the craft, the significance of staying open-minded, and the value of creating a large quantity of work to refine one's skills. She shares he…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. In this episode, Alford has a discussion with his virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. They explore how unders…

The Episode discusses the common mistake of potters trying to conform with others instead of finding their own unique voice in pottery. It emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, making what one enjoys, and stepping out of the comfort zone to create authentic pottery art. On May 31st I am doing an workshop with Guest Artist Mike Cerv …

Today on the show I’m joined by Brian Kakas and Lisa Giuliani for a discussion about the changing landscape of ceramic education. In the interview we talk about demographic shifts and closures in higher education, craft school education, and helping an arts community survive after a core institution downsizes its ceramics program. This episode was …

This episode discusses the importance of deep focused work in pottery making to enhance skills and creativity. It provides tips on building the habit of consistent studio time, setting timers for deep work focus, and utilizing conducive environments like residencies for optimal results. On May 31st I am doing an workshop with Guest Artist Mike Cerv…

In this episode, we delve into the life and insights of award-winning sculptor Tessa Eastman. Tessa shares her experiences transitioning from pottery to sculpture, the significance of teaching in her artistic journey, and the influence of nature and the natural world on her work. She discusses the impact of awards on her career, particularly her fi…

This episode features a deep dive into the artistic journey of Allyson George, a potter who initially dreamed of becoming an animator. Allyson shares the lightbulb moment when she realized pottery was her true calling. She discusses her creative process, challenges in finding her unique voice, and the importance of a supportive community. Her work …

In this episode, Nic Torres emphasizes the necessity of sticking with one pottery technique long enough to fully develop skills and exhaust all creative ideas before moving on. He addresses the common issue of boredom and suggests maintaining excitement by altering themes within the same technique, using personal anecdotes like his shift from creat…

This clip from my interview with Adrienne Eliades, Adrienne talks the journey of finding one's unique voice in pottery, emphasizing the importance of reflecting on techniques, avoiding direct imitation, and gradually developing a personal style. It touches on the role of mimicking others' work as a learning tool and highlights the significance of n…

Stephanie Seguin is a functional potter based in Helena, MT, where she makes table and service ware. She is also the education manager at the Archie Bray Foundation where she has helped shape the education program as the organization has emerged from the pandemic. In our interview we talk about tactile learning, developing parameters for creativity…

In this comprehensive conversation, Adrienne Eliades shares insights from her 20-plus years in pottery, emphasizing the importance of viewing the artistic process as a journey rather than aiming for a fixed destination. Through reflections on personal growth, embracing failure, and the significance of community, Adrian reveals how facing challenges…

Welcome to the latest episode of "The Pin Tool Podcast," where art meets entrepreneurship. I'm your host, Al Wayman, from Creek Road Pottery LLC, guiding you through the multifaceted world of pottery and business. In this episode, Alford has a discussion with his virtual assistant, Amelia, an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot. They explore how unders…

Judi Tavill has had a broad career in the arts starting in fashion and now creating biomorphic ceramic sculpture. In our interview we talk about her career in fashion, blending drawing with sculpture, and preparing for her upcoming solo show at the Ivy Brown Gallery. Entanglements will open May 16th and run through June 26th. For more information v…