Mckenzie Smith on Mingei, Miami and making a living as a potter

March 19, 2015, 10:15 am

≫ Next: Holly Hanessian on the significance of touch in the digital age

≪ Previous: Gustin, Long, and Balistreri on wood firing and community

$

0

0

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have 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.

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site.

---

Holly Hanessian on the significance of touch in the digital age

April 5, 2015, 10:58 pm

≫ Next: Jason Burnett, Sunshine Cobb and Doug Peltzman on defining success early in a career

≪ Previous: Mckenzie Smith on Mingei, Miami and making a living as a potter

$

0

0

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have 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.

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site.

Touch in Real Time installation

Jason Burnett, Sunshine Cobb and Doug Peltzman on defining success early in a career

April 8, 2015, 8:49 am

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

≪ Previous: Holly Hanessian on the significance of touch in the digital age

$

0

0

Doug Peltzman

Sunshine Cobb

Jason Burnett

Doug Peltzman

Sunshine Cobb

Jason Burnett

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have 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. 

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site.

Sunshine Cobb photo by Debbie Williamson

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

April 21, 2015, 10:01 am

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

≪ Previous: Jason Burnett, Sunshine Cobb and Doug Peltzman on defining success early in a career

$

0

0

Mr. CEO (Avarice), 2008

Fiannoula Reborn, 2011

Blue Síle (Blue Sheila), 2011

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast I have 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.

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site

I met Joe in West Palm Beach, FL where he has been on a one year teaching appointment at Florida Atlantic University. While in the area he has been firing his vessel-based work in Justin Lambert's wood kiln. I happened to be in town during the unloading of a kiln and loved seeing the contrast between Joe's Rhytons and Justin's functional pots. Both benefited from the dry ash surfaces of the wood kiln but in completely different ways.



Justin Lambert's wood fired plates from the same kiln as Joe's Rhyton.

.

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

April 29, 2015, 11:15 am

≫ Next: Jim Skutt on the history of Skutt Kilns and the development of internet-based kiln monitoring

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

$

0

0

New work from Carter Pottery

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler podcast we feature 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.

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site

Jim Skutt on the history of Skutt Kilns and the development of internet-based kiln monitoring

May 7, 2015, 10:09 am

≫ Next: Cheyenne and Nigel Rudolph on archeology, pottery, and performance art

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

$

0

0

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler podcast I have 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 ever since. 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.

In the interview we also talk about the futurist writer Gary Golden's thoughts on technology. I couldn't find the exact article Jim mentioned but you can find more information at www.garygolden.com.  Here are the ideas paraphrased.

1. Technology is amoral. It will be used for both good and evil.

2. Technology reproduces itself and spreads once created. Once the genie is out of the bottle it never goes back in.

3. The price of technology continues to come down as it spreads.

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site

The development of Kiln Link was a breakthrough for Skutt into the world of internet-based kiln monitoring. Kiln Link collects information and runs diagnostics through the cloud while allowing the user to monitor the kiln's progress from a PC, or smart phone. In the interview Jim joked about Skutt becoming a software company, which highlights how important the wired world has become to both studio potters and equipment manufacturers. 

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

May 20, 2015, 3:15 pm

≫ Next: Paul Blais on developing an effective podcast

≪ Previous: Jim Skutt on the history of Skutt Kilns and the development of internet-based kiln monitoring

$

0

0

Nigel Rudolph's Whiskey servers pictured above. Cheyenne Rudolph's CenterPeas pictured below.



This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler podcast I have 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.

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site


Cheyenne in the midst of a Lemonader performance at Haile Plantation in Gainesville, FL. 

Paul Blais on developing an effective podcast

May 27, 2015, 9:40 am

≫ Next: Forrest Middelton on appropriation and the language of pattern

≪ Previous: Cheyenne and Nigel Rudolph on archeology, pottery, and performance art

$

0

0

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler podcast I have 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. 

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site

---

Forrest Middelton on appropriation and the language of pattern

June 3, 2015, 9:32 am

≫ Next: Podcast and blog moving to www.talesofaredclayrambler.com

≪ Previous: Paul Blais on developing an effective podcast

$

0

0

This week on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler podcast I have an interview with ceramic artist Forrest Middelton. Utilizing screen printing techniques Forrest 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.

To subscribe to the Red Clay Rambler podcast on iTunes please click here. To add the podcast to your Stitcher Radio on Demand Playlist click here. You can also stream the latest episode on the podcast tab for this site

Forrest has refined a reduction cooling technique that produces brilliant red to brown variations of iron oxide. I love how these flashes of color enliven the two dimensional patterns. 

Podcast and blog moving to www.talesofaredclayrambler.com

July 2, 2015, 10:47 am

≪ Previous: Forrest Middelton on appropriation and the language of pattern

$

0

0

The Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast and Blog has moved full time to www.talesofaredclayrambler.com. Along with many upgrades I've created a visual guide and expanded the episode guide to make it easier to listen to the podcast. Thanks for following as I transition away from carterpottery.blogspot.com over the next few months. Come see the new site and tell your friends!