5.01.2009

Episode Guide- Visit www.talesofaredclayrambler.com for current episodes.

104: Forrest Middelton on appropriation and the language of pattern

This episode features an interview with ceramic artist Forrest Middelton. Utilizing screen printing techniques he has developed rich repeat patterns that show the influence of Iznik decorative art, as well as other middle eastern traditions. He states that his work looks at the "effects global influences have on the craft traditions", with a specific interest on how global commerce has effected aesthetic exchange. In the interview we talk about learning to speak the visual language of pattern, developing screen printing for three dimensional objects, and moving toward direct sales to increase profitability in a business. For more information on Forrest please visit www.flmceramics.com.



103: Paul Blais on developing an effective podcast

This episode features an interview with Paul Blais. Along with being an experienced podcaster, consultant, and podcast marketer, Paul has had a career in electrical contracting and lighting design. As the host of both The Potterscast and Doubt the Doubts, Paul delves into the business side of creative entrepreneurship and business management. In the interview we talk about working through illness, learning to live in the moment, and developing an effective podcast. For more information on Paul please visit www.thepotterscast.com or www.doubtthedoubts.com.



102: Nigel and Cheyenne Rudolph on archeology, pottery and performance art

This episode features an interview with Nigel and Cheyenne Rudolph. Both ceramic artists have roots in functional pottery but incorporate their experience in other professions into their ceramic work. Nigel's work as an Archeologist has given him access to traditional pottery in a historical context, while Cheyenne's time in the theatre influences her use of ceramic objects in performance art. In the interview we talk about Florida archeology, understanding your influences as a maker, and establishing a context for objects through performance art. For more information on Nigel and Cheyenne please visit www.rudolphclaystudios.com.



101: Jim Skutt on the history of Skutt Kilns and the development of new technology

This episode features an interview with Jim Skutt. After an early career away from the family business, Jim returned to the kiln company in 1987 where he has been an integral part of its growth. In the interview we talk about the history of Skutt kilns, the viability of microwave kilns for studio potters, and the development of internet-based kiln monitoring. For more information please visit www.skutt.com.



Special 100th episode: Guest Host Mark Shapiro interviews Ben Carter

This episode features a special 100th episode with Mark Shapiro interviewing TRCR host Ben Carter. In the interview we talk about making a career in ceramics, the origin story of the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler and the archetypes people inhabit within the clay world. For more information on Ben please visit www.carterpottery.com or www.talesofaredclayrambler.com.

Guest host Mark Shapiro has been a dedicated studio potter for thirty years. He continues to fire the wood kiln he built shortly after moving from New York City to Worthington, MA in 1986. To find out more about his work please visit www.stonepoolpottery.com.



99: Joe Bova on developing a deft touch in clay and the erotic nature of creativity 

This episode features an interview with ceramic artist and educator Joe Bova. Using biomorphic and zoomorphic subject matter, Joe creates hollow formed ceramic sculpture that serves as a vehicle for political, social and mythical narratives. His work has been widely exhibited in hundreds of group shows and more than a fifteen major solo exhibitions spanning his decades-long ceramic career. In addition to his studio work Joe was active in the classroom from 1969-2007, when he was an integral part of building the ceramic programs at Nichols State University, Louisiana State University and Ohio University. In the interview we talk about building a ceramic program in higher education, developing a deft touch in clay, and the erotic nature of creativity. For more information on his work please visit www.joebova.com.



98: Jason Burnett, Sunshine Cobb, and Doug Peltzman on defining success

This episode features a panel discussion with Jason Burnett, Sunshine Cobb, and Doug Peltzman. Our conversation covers many topics including seeking sources for constructive criticism, reevaluating life goals after accruing academic debt, and defining success early in a career. Jason Burnett is an artist living in Gatlinburg, TN. For more information about his work please visit www.jasonbigeburnett.com. Sunshine Cobb is a potter living in Sacramento, CA. For more information on her work please visit www.sunshinecobb.com. Doug Peltzman is a potter living in the Hudson Valley area of New York. For more information on his work please visit www.dougpeltzman.com.



97: Holly Hanessian on the significance of touch in the digital age 

This episode features an interview with artist and educator Holly Hanessian. Her most recent work Touch in Real Time explores the intimate nature of physical contact and its significance in the digital age. Part research and part social engagement, Holly asks strangers to shake hands with a small amount of clay between them. This creates an object that concretizes an otherwise temporal experience. In the interview we talk about the value of touch and its foundation in neuroscience, incorporating new technologies into her clay work, and the difference between art and research. For more information on Holly's work please visit www.hollyhanessian.com.



96: McKenzie Smith on the Mingei Movement and 1980's Miami

This episode features an interview with potter McKenzie Smith. During early academic training as a musician he took a glaze chemistry class and has been a dedicated potter ever since. Working within the Mingei aesthetic, McKenzie references the colors and textures of South Florida where he maintains a studio. In the interview we talk about growing up during the drug wars in Miami, his understanding of Mingei, and the development of an inner journey in the studio. For more information about McKenzie please visit www.mckenziespottery.com.


This episode features a panel discussion on wood fired ceramics with Chris Gustin, Matt Long, and John Balistreri. In the interview we discuss the community oriented nature of wood firing, the balance of chaos and control involved in the firing process, and the role commerce plays in introducing objects into the world. For more information on Chris Gustin please visit www.gustinceramics.com. For more information on Matt Long please visit www.fullvictory.com. For more information on John Balistreri please visit www.johnbalistreriartist.com.



94: Charlie Cummings on developing a gallery and embracing new technology

This episode features an interview with gallery owner and artist Charlie Cummings. Through the Charlie Cummings Gallery he exhibits a variety of ceramic art with a focus on supporting artists early in their careers. In his own art practice Charlie engineers multimedia installations that use technology to create sensory experiences that trigger the viewer's sense of awe and wonder. In the interview we discuss the difference between documentation and art, cultivating a collector base for a gallery, and developing the M.E.T.A curriculum for artists and engineers. For more information on Charlie's work please visit www.charliecummings.com. For more information on the gallery please visit www.claylink.com.



93: Matt Schiemann on shaping an artist-in-residence program  

This episode features an interview with Matt Schiemann. Matt creates full bodied functional forms that showcase flame patterns from the Anagama and Train kilns he fires in St. Petersburg, FL. In the interview we talk about shaping an artist-in-residence program, being an optimist, and capitalizing on the opportunities that come across your path. For more information on Matt's work please visitwww.matthewschiemannpottery.com.



92: Linda Arbuckle on creating a conceptual framework for pottery

This episode features an interview with artist and educator Linda Arbuckle. A master of majolica pottery Linda is known for her fluid brush work and keen sense of color. In addition to her studio work Linda has been active in the classroom for three decades and is currently a professor of ceramics at the University of Florida. In the interview we talk about defining the value of handmade, creating a conceptual framework for functional pottery and her career as an educator. For more information about Linda please visit www.lindaarbuckle.com.



91: William Daley on the triumvirate of creativity and the nature of intuition

This episode features an interview with Bill Daley. Throughout his seventy year career he has created large scale terra cotta works that expand the boundaries of the contemporary vessel. A noted educator, Bill spent over forty years teaching in higher education and has received numerous awards of distinction from the College Art Association, American Craft Council, the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage and many others institutions. In the interview we talk about his triumvirate of creativity, the true nature of intuition and looking forward at ninety. For more information on his work please visit www.williamdaley.net.



90: Patrick Coughlin on the need for craft mastery in art making

This episode features an interview with Patrick Coughlin. Anchored in a long time ceramic studio practice Patrick creates mixed media sculpture that looks at the history and value of labor across craft media. In a statement about his recent exhibition Tools of the Trade he says, "My work is both elegy and ballad, aiming to depict the hidden beauty and value in the knowledge of process, and the joy of committing it. The act of making becomes a performance of my own heritage; working with dirt, tool and sweat of brow." In the interview we talk about developing a body of work post graduate school, the need for craft mastery in art education, and the social history of pattern. For more information on his work please visit www.patrickcoughlin.com.



Ep. 89 Mark Shapiro on the "ethical" pot and the apprenticeship system

This episode features an interview with potter Mark Shapiro. After an early career as a carpenter and metal sculptor Shapiro has been a dedicated studio potter for almost thirty years. He continues to fire the wood kiln he built shortly after moving from New York City to Worthington, MA in 1986. In the interview we talk about the virtue of handmade, questioning the "ethical" pot, and Mark's efforts to establish and document an apprenticeship system for potters. To find out more about his pottery please visitwww.stonepoolpottery.com.



Ep. 88 Sam Taylor on the influence of his artistic peers

This episode features an interview with potter Sam Taylor. Working in Western Massachuetts since the early 1990's his Dog Bar studio is nestled between the Connecticut River Valley and the hills of the Berkshire mountains. Influenced by the pottery of Michael Simon, and other American Mingei potters, Taylor has developed a keen eye for dividing decorative space on his wood fired forms. Leaning on a graphic sensibility he uses high contrast slips and brush work to enliven his functional forms. In the interview we talk about being influenced by artistic peers and balancing creative expression with the need for financial stability. For more information on Sam please visit www.dogbarpottery.com.




Ep. 87 Daniel Ricardo Teran and Naomi Cleary on investing in the inner city

This episode features an interview with Daniel Ricardo Teran and Naomi Cleary. Both accomplished potters they have exhibited their functional pottery in galleries across the United States. In addition to studio work Naomi is the manager of Sales, Online Marketing and Communications at the Clay Studio and Daniel has been an instructor at many Philadelphia ceramic institutions. One of the unique aspects of their story is the decision to purchase and renovate a dilapidated home in Philadelphia. In the interview we talk about living and investing in an inner city, managing studio with family responsibilities, and planning for the future. For more information on Daniel's work please visit www.danielricardoteran.com. For more information on Naomi's work please visit her profile on Art Axis.



Ep. 86 Sandi Pierantozzi and Neil Patterson on building community in an urban setting

This episode features an interview with Sandi Pierantozzi and Neil Patterson. A long time staple of the Philadelphia ceramics scene, they run the Neighborhood Potters studio on Fairmont Avenue. In the interview we talk about nurturing creative community in an urban environment, embracing the exploratory nature of a new body of work, and their ongoing relationship with the Craft Emergency Relief Fund. For more information on their work please visit www.sandiandneil.com. For more information on C. E. R. F. + please visit www.craftemergency.org.



Ep. 85 Live from the Clay Studio: Silverman, Strand and Gebhart talk Design

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have a live episode with Bobby Silverman, Michael Strand and Tina Gebhart. We discuss a broad spectrum of design related topics including education, the role of hand made in the contemporary design studio, and the ever changing boundaries of good taste. This episode was taped in front of a live studio audience at the Clay Studio in Philadelphia, PA.


Ep. 84 Thanksgiving Special: Food, Objects, and Memory

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I delve into the relationship between food, objects, and memory. The episode features fifteen short interviews with a mixture of artists, curators, and collectors. All participants were asked, "What is your favorite food, and how would you like it to be served?" Their responses, both hilarious and sincere, show how eating rituals are foundational to building relationships with family and friends. The interviews were taped as part of the ArtKamp residency at Project Art in Cummington, MA. 



Ep. 83 Mary Barringer and Elenor Wilson talk about The Studio Potter Journal

This episode features an interview with Mary Barringer and Elenor Wilson. Although both are accomplished ceramic artists our interview is focused on their tenures as editor for the The Studio Potter journal. Established in 1972 The Studio Potter has had an active role in documenting and shaping the American pottery scene. In the interview we talk about the history of the journal, balancing editorial duties with an artistic life, and the impact digital media has had on The Studio Potter. For more information please visit www.studiopotter.org.



Ep. 82 Live from Harvard: Craft and the Museum with Ethan Lasser and Ezra Shales

This live episode focuses on craft and the museum with a panel discussion with Ethan Lasser and Ezra Shales. We discuss the need for touch-friendly learning in museums, the role of craft in Boston's history, and the ways museums create meaning through the presentation of objects. This episode was taped in front of a live studio audience at Harvard Ceramics in Alston, MA.



Ep. 81 Workshop 101 with Lisa Naples, Kate Maury, and Adam Field

This episode features a panel on educational philosophy and workshop teaching featuring Lisa Naples, Kate Maury, and Adam Field. The discussion covers a broad range of topics including the role of criticism in education, vulnerability in teaching, and what makes the perfect workshop.  For more information on Lisa, Kate and Adam please visit their websites. www.lisanaples.com www.katemaury.com www.adamfieldpottery.com



Ep. 80 Andrew Baseman on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with Andrew Baseman. An avid collector, Baseman has built one of the premier collections of "make-do's". These unique antiques feature inventive repairs such as stapling, metal wrapping, and rattan weaving that were used to return them to functional service. He says of the process, "Unlike today where we discard anything chipped or cracked, broken household items were repaired at home or taken to a metalsmith to be brought back to life, often with whimsical results. " Baseman chronicles his collection on his blog Past Imperfect: The Art of Inventive Repair where he photographs and writes about the unique history of each object and their repairs. In the interview we talk about the history of inventive repair, how context changes the value of an object, and the role decorative objects play in the entertainment world.



Ep. 79 Patsy Cox on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with artist and educator Patsy Cox. A resident of Los Angeles, her installations comment on the dense urban landscape of southern California. The pieces are made from hundreds of cast and manipulated ceramic forms that are arranged in matrix-like patterns to fill the gallery space. Patsy is currently a professor and head of the ceramics department at Cal State Northridge as well as President of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). In the interview we talk about teaching in a diverse community and the symbolism behind her large scale installations. Please visit www.patsycox.com for more information on her work.



Ep. 78 Tony Marsh, Adam Field and Wes Hicks on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features a panel discussion on fermentation and ceramics with Adam Field, Tony Marsh, and Wesley Hicks. In the interview we talk about food as a cultural identifier, the science and history of fermentation and the Korean Onggi tradition. Along with Vipoo Srivilasa they have organized a celebration of the ceramic and culinary arts at the Long Beach County Museum of Art. For more information please visit www.lbma.org.



Ep. 77 Vicki Grima on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Vicki Grima. In addition to her ceramic practice, she has been the editor of the Australian Journal of Ceramics and the Executive Officer of The Australian Ceramics Association (TACA) for the last nine years. In the interview we talk about what makes a successful magazine in the digital age, the responsibility of documenting Australian ceramic history, and how TACA can give practical support to studio artists. For more information about Vicki please visit www.vickigrima.com.au. For more information on TACA, or the journal, please visit www.australianceramics.com.



Ep. 76 Mel Robson on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with ceramic artist Mel Robson. During her multifaceted career she has approached the ceramic field from both the functional domestic object and the large-scale multimedia installation. She says of her work, "My ceramics practice explores ideas surrounding place and identity, and more recently, the ways in which we can develop a sense of place and belonging through observation and documentation of the natural world around us." In the interview we talk about relocating to the central desert community of Alice Springs, her use of handwriting as an aesthetic tool, and the role museums play in helping us remember, or forget, our collective past.To see examples of her work please visit Mel Robson Ceramics on Instagram.



Ep. 75 Andy Ruble on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with sculptor Andy Ruble. The intricate structure of his hand built forms references both architecture and the organic biosphere. He says of his influences, "By observing and referencing details of our universe which range from the microscopic (dividing cells, mushroom spores, pollen, and bone structure) to the mammoth (large-scale bridges, refineries, and ships), I gather ideas for surface and form." In the interview we talk about the value of pottery making as a starting point for sculpture, dealing with the "teaching treadmill", and the concepts behind his Structural Relic series. For more information on his work please visit www.andyruble.com.



Ep. 74 Joel Magen on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Joel Magen. A potter for more than 30 years, Joel owns and operates Dark Horse Pottery in Davenport, CA. In our interview we talk about Marguerite Wildenhain's influence on California studio pottery, how ceramics fit into the back-to-the-land movement of the 1960's, and the evolution of Dark Horse Pottery. To see more examples of Joel's work please visit www.darkhorsepottery.com.



Ep. 73 Linda Fahey on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with artist-designer Linda Fahey. In recent years she has developed a body of hand-built ceramic forms that are decorated with nautical themes, linear drawings, and floral patterns. She sells her work through a variety of venues, including large retailers like Anthropologie, and smaller atelier shops scattered around the West Coast. In the interview we talk about the value of obsessive routines, wholesaling in the design market, and Linda's love of the ocean. Building on her business background she recently opened a small design store called Yonder in Pacifica, CA. For more information please visit www.yondershop.com. For more information on Linda's work please visit www.ljfceramics.com.



Ep. 72 Sam Clarkson on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with studio potter and educator Sam Clarkson. Known for his functional pottery, he has shown his work across the United States and lectured in numerous art organizations including the Penland School of Crafts. In addition to his studio career he teaches at Cabrillo College. In the interview we talk about surfing, the similarities between teaching and coaching, and Clarkson's research into plant-based oil firing.



Ep. 71 Alleghany Meadows on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with studio potter and gallery owner Alleghany Meadows. Known for his functional pottery he has exhibited across the United States and lectured in numerous art institutions. In addition to his studio career he is a founding partner of the Harvey Meadows Gallery, the Art Stream Nomadic Gallery and the Studio for Arts and Works. Along with his academic training Alleghany apprenticed with Japanese potter Takashi Nakazato and was a recipient of the Thomas J. Watson Foundation Fellowship, which allowed him to spend a year doing a field study of traditional potters in rural Nepal. In the interview we talk about the value of being immersed in another culture, as well as keeping studio time a priority in the midst of a busy family and business life. For more information please visit www.harveymeadows.com.



Ep. 70 Garth Clark on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Garth Clark. A noted critic, provocateur, and advocate for ceramics, Clark founded the Garth Clark Gallery with his partner Mark Del Vecchio in 1981. Over the next three decades the gallery became the flagship for contemporary ceramics in America. Clark has authored more than 60 books and lectured at over 100 major venues including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and the Sorbonne University, Paris. His newest project CFile is an online periodical highlighting the role of ceramics in art, design, architecture, and technology. In the interview we talk about his early life as a journalist, the evolution of ceramics in the gallery world, and the founding of CFile. For more information please visit www.cfileonline.org.



Ep. 69 Live from Berkeley: Whitney Smith talks social media and Etsy


This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast, I have an interview with Whitney Smith. Inspired by the natural world and the floral patterns of Art Nouveau, Whitney produces a variety of functional pottery in her Oakland, CA studio. In addition to being a full-time potter Whitney has been a devoted blogger since 2006. Her direct and humorous writing style has drawn a world-wide following to her blog, This Artist's Life: Life in and Out of the Ceramic Studio. In the interview we talk about crafting your story through social media, selling online through Etsy, and dealing with burnout. You can find out more about Whitney's work at www.whitneysmithpottery.com. The interview was taped in front of a live audience at the 4th and Clay Studio in Berkeley, CA.



Ep. 68 Live from NCECA: Virtual Clay with Epp, Field, and Kline


This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have a panel on social media featuring Carole Epp, Michael Kline, and Adam Field. The discussion covers a broad range of topics including self-censorship, branding, and community service. Virtual Realities, Material World was taped live at the 2014 NCECA conference in Milwaukee, WI. This episode features the question and answer session that occurred after our individual presentations. To see a video of our presentations please visit the WatchNCECA channel on You Tube.



Ep. 67 Carter Gillies on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Carter Gillies. A potter, educator, and devoted blogger, Carter maintains a home studio in Athens, Georgia. I discovered his blog a few years ago and he quickly became one of my favorite writers. He regularly tackles both the everyday and the extraordinary aspects of an artist's life. In the interview we talk about Carter's background in philosophy, his theory about the five stages of learning, and how selling online could change the way artists take risks in their studio. You can find more about his work at www.cartergilliespottery.wordpress.com.


Ep. 66 Diana Fayt on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Diana Fayt. With a background in painting and drawing, Diana uses scrimshaw techniques to create rich compositions filled with folkloric images and symbols of personal identity. In the interview we talk about life in San Francisco, her approach to symbols and storytelling, and the development of her online e-course The Clayer. You can find more about her work at www.dianafayt.com.



Ep. 65 Ron Meyers on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Ron Meyers. Known for his highly decorated terra cotta forms, Ron uses expressive painting and sgraffito drawing to create images of fish, birds, and other animal motifs, that often have human characteristics. In the interview we talk about finding one's voice as a maker, the development of his "usual suspects" characters, and how retiring from teaching energized his ceramics career. You can find Ron's work online at the Signature Shop, AKAR, and Red Lodge Clay Center.



Ep. 64 Michael Simon on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Michael Simon. After studying at the University of Minnesota in the late 1960's, Michael set up a studio in the Athens, GA area where he has been making pots for more than 30 years. From shallow round bowls to complex squared boxes Michael developed a unique approach to matching form with decoration. His images of fish, birds, trees, and other nature-based motifs are simple in their geometric orientation but bold in their iconographic impact. In the interview we talk about intuition, the influence of Michael's teacher Warren Mackenzie, and a lifetime devoted to finding truth in the pursuit of pottery.



Ep. 63 Best of Season Two of the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This Best of Season Two compilation covers a wide range of topics including dealing with fear in the studio, searching for authenticity in a consumer society, and balancing family life with an art practice. The episode features excepts from interviews with Steven Hill, Richard Notkin, Bobby Silverman, Kyle Carpenter, Ron Philbeck, Michael Kline, Julia Galloway, Kristen Kieffer, Alex Matisse, Josh Copus, Lindsay Rogers, and Vernon, Pam and Travis Owens from Jugtown Pottery. For more information on these artists, or their interviews, please visit www.talesofaredclayrambler.com.



Ep. 62 Molly Hatch on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast


This episode features an interview with Molly Hatch. Trained as a potter her career straddles the boundaries between art, craft, and design. From her home studio in Northhampton, MA she creates prototypes that are replicated in factories and sold through major design labels. While employing industrial labor she continues to push the aesthetic of the hand in her ceramic, fabric, and home ware designs. In addition, she maintains a foothold in the art market with large scale one-of-a-kind plate paintings that are shown in galleries and museums. In the interview we talk about a variety of topics including using the factory as a tool, the dynamics of class struggle in the art world, and her recent installation at the High Museum in Atlanta. For more information on Molly's work please visit www.mollyhatch.com.



Ep. 61 Galloway, Kieffer, and Kline talk about trends in ceramic design on the TRCR Podcast


This episode features a panel discussion with Kristen Kieffer, Julia Galloway, and Michael Kline on current trends in ceramic design. Our wide-ranging conversation looks at the effect of the internet on the way we see design, the pressures on young artists to succeed, and dealing with the restless personality of the artist. Kristen Kieffer is a potter living in Baldwinville, MA. For more information about her work please visit www.kiefferceramics.com. Michael Kline is a potter living in Bakersville, NC. For more information on his work please visit www.klinepottery.com. Julia Galloway is a potter and educator living in Missoula, MT. She currently serves as a professor and director of the School of Art at the University of Montana. For more information on her work please visit www.juliagalloway.com.



For descriptions of episodes 1-10 click here.

For descriptions of episodes 11-20 click here.

For descriptions of episodes 21-30 click here.

For descriptions of episodes 31-40 click here.

For descriptions of episodes 41-50 click here.

For descriptions of episodes 51-60 click here.

For descriptions of episodes 61- 70 click here.

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