Shaping Your Pottery with Nic Torres Nic Torres

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 and Mike is talking about How to Make Slab Built Goblet Cups! To register click this link to save your spot  https://shapingyourpottery.ck.page/products/how-to-make-a-slab-built-goblet-cup-w
Take this Free Quiz to see how close you are to finding your pottery voice click here to take the quiz shapingyourpottery.com/quiz 
 

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 and Mike is talking about How to Make Slab Built Goblet Cups! To register before all the spots are taken click this link to save your spot https://shapingyourpottery.ck.page/products/how-to-make-a-slab-built-goblet-cup-w
Join The Shaping Your Pottery Newsletter By Clicking This Link shapingyourpottery.com/newsletter
 

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 first award, which granted her a solo show and funding. Tessa also offers advice for aspiring artists on discovering their unique voice, the process of applying for art opportunities, and the importance of dedicated practice. Additionally, she emphasizes the value of attending workshops and learning directly from other makers. The episode concludes with details on how to learn more about Tessa Eastman you can learn more about tessa by checking out her instagram here https://www.instagram.com/tessa_eastman/
Only 8 more spots left for the how to handbuild a goblet cup workshop! happening on May 31st click this link to save your spot  https://shapingyourpottery.ck.page/products/how-to-make-a-slab-built-goblet-cup-w
00:00 Meet Tessa Eastman: An Award-Winning Sculptor's Journey
00:28 The Impact of Teaching on Creativity
02:56 The Evolution from Potter to Sculptor
07:08 The Significance of Awards in an Artist's Career
10:10 Advice for Aspiring Award-Winning Artists
11:26 Discovering the Sculptural Voice: A Journey Through Nature and Color
16:18 The Art of Hand Building: Bringing Sculptures to Life
22:00 Finding Your Unique Voice in Sculpture
25:53 Creating Opportunities and Navigating the Art World
29:37 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Tessa Eastman

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 is notably characterized by animated, cartoon-styled pottery that incorporates elements of humor and physics defiance. Allyson credits her growth to a strong support system, including her mom, boyfriend, teachers, and peer artists. We also explore her educational journey from high school to earning a BFA in ceramics at West Virginia University, highlighting how various mentors and experiences shaped her art. Allyson emphasizes taking risks, revisiting ideas, and the joy of creation as crucial to discovering one's voice in pottery. The episode also teases an upcoming workshop and explores Allyson's innovative approach to integrating animation with functional pottery, making her work distinct and memorable. You can learn more about Allyson by checking out her instagram https://www.instagram.com/clay_by_allyson/
Join me and Guest Artist Mike Cerv On May 31st to learn how to handbuild a goblet cup! There are only 8 more spots available click below to register and save your spot  https://shapingyourpottery.ck.page/products/how-to-make-a-slab-built-goblet-cup-w
00:00 Discovering a Passion Beyond Animation: Allyson's Journey into Pottery
00:09 The Creative Process and Overcoming Challenges
00:39 The Power of Support: Family, Friends, and Mentors
02:28 From High School to College: The Evolution of a Potter
08:16 Embracing the Quirky: The Birth of Cartoon Styled Pottery
18:32 Finding a Voice in Pottery: Functionality Meets Creativity
23:23 The Impact of Community and Conversations on Artistic Growth
25:30 Advice for Aspiring Potters: Discovering Your Unique Voice
26:47 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More About Allyson

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 creating ninja sculptures to astronaut figures, all while preserving his unique style. Guests like Eva Funderburk reinforce the value of revisiting and refining a technique to discover new possibilities. 
 On May 31st I am doing an workshop with Guest Artist Mike Cerv and Mike is talking about How to Handbuild a Goblet Cup! There are only a limited number of spots availabe click this link to attend the workshop https://shapingyourpottery.ck.page/products/how-to-make-a-slab-built-goblet-cup-w
Join The Shaping Your Pottery Newsletter By Clicking This Link shapingyourpottery.com/newsletter
 

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 not monetizing copied designs. 
On May 31st I am doing a workshop with Guest Artist Mike Cerv and Mike is going to be teaching How to Handbuild a Goblet Cup! There are only 9 more spots available to save your spot  click this link to register https://shapingyourpottery.ck.page/products/how-to-make-a-slab-built-goblet-cup-w
Take this Free Quiz to see how close you are to finding your pottery voice click here to take the quiz shapingyourpottery.com/quiz