In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews Jessica Sanford, a seasoned potter with 25 years of experience. Jessica shares her unique perspectives on commonly held beliefs in the pottery world, especially regarding beginners and the emphasis on production. She recounts her journey into pottery, from high school classes to …

In this episode, Nic Torres shares a personal anecdote about being kept awake by loud rain and a dripping sound, leading to random thoughts and ponderings about water and the scientific method. He then ties this to pottery, explaining how the scientific method can be applied to pottery by creating and testing hypotheses to find what works best. He …

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews Anna Shipulina, a mother, immigrant, and artist. Anna shares her experience of how embracing freedom in her pottery practice has helped her grow as an artist. She discusses the importance of doing what you love to avoid burnout and the significance of intuitive building. Anna als…

In this episode you will the importance of revisiting old skills to find new inspiration and address weaknesses in your pottery practice. He shares his personal experience with gymnastics-related exercises to illustrate how returning to basics can reveal areas for improvement and generate fresh ideas. Nick encourages potters to explore previous tec…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, host Nic Torres interviews Jessie Marinacci Valone about the transformative power of slowing down in pottery. Jessie shares her journey from graphic design to pottery, the importance of experimenting in the studio, and the benefits of surrounding yourself with other artists. She discusses her experiences at …

In this episode, Nic Torres interviews Maria Loram, an expert in adding textures to pottery. Maria shares her journey of rediscovering art through ceramics, her inspiration from Japanese ceramics and the cosmos, and her transformative experience at the Cub Creek Residency. The episode delves into her passion for spherical and textured vases, the pr…

In this episode, Nic Torres discusses the significance of spending sufficient time experimenting with different pottery techniques before moving on to new projects. He emphasizes that continuous experimentation helps build confidence, improve skills, and achieve mastery in pottery. Nic also addresses the common tendency to quickly switch between id…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery Catie North shares her transition from watercolor to pottery, revealing how underglaze techniques can mimic watercolor effects. The conversation covers the intersection of pottery with anime and video game inspirations, and the challenges of creating vibrant, neon-colored glazes. Listeners will learn practica…

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews artist Meaghan Gates, who shares her journey of becoming an artist and her insights on what it means to embrace failure in the world of pottery. Meaghan discusses her widespread experiences from her early exposure to pottery as a child to her academic and professional growth. She…

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery', Nic Torres explores how to find and cultivate your unique pottery identity, regardless of your experience level. He highlights the importance of identifying personal likes and dislikes, both in and out of pottery, by advocating for self-reflection exercises like listing interests and nostalgia from childho…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Whitney Gill shares her journey into the world of ceramics, influenced by her artistic family and a defining moment at the Haystack Mountain School of Craft. She discusses embracing simplicity in pottery design and the importance of documenting one's creative process. Whitney emphasizes the role community an…

In this episode you will learn the power of trusting the process with your pottery. Sometimes your pottery won't look how you pictured it until you have seen the final result Get your 53 themes by clicking this link shapingyourpottery.com/53themes For more episodes click here www.shapingyourpottery.com…

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' Nic Torres welcomes Hailey Fair, a potter who shares her journey from traditional apprenticeships to establishing a unique brand focused on nerdy pottery inspired by books, video games, and movies. Hailey discusses the importance of breaking away from conventional methods, finding joy in creating, and how …

In this episode I am giving you the 3 ways that I like to apply black wash to my pottery if you would like to see the techniques in action subscribe to my youtube channel here https://www.youtube.com/@shapingyourpottery/videos Connect, Learn, and Find Your Pottery Voice by joining the The Clay Games Community here https://shapingyourpottery.ck.page…

In this episode, Nic Torres discusses the three hardest obstacles potters face when trying to find their unique pottery voice: overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome, finding time to practice pottery, and dealing with a lack of resources and skills. Nic offers practical tips for overcoming each challenge, such as maintaining consistent practic…

In this episode of Shaping Pottery, Ana Leal shares her journey to becoming a successful potter, starting from accidental encounters with clay to becoming a featured artist in prominent galleries. Her advice for aspiring potters includes pursuing what you are passionate about, the importance of self-promotion, engaging with potential galleries, and…

You don't need to get fancy to find your own artistic style so in this episode I am giving you 5 boring pottery techniques to help transform your pottery to dive deeper on the techniques subscribe and watch the episode on my youtube channel here https://www.youtube.com/@shapingyourpottery/podcasts Get your 53 themes by clicking this link shapingyou…

Not everyone should like your pottery and that's okay in this episode you going to learn why people should dislike your pottery Join The Shaping Your Pottery Newsletter By Clicking This Link shapingyourpottery.com/newsletter Listen To Other Episodes here https://www.shapingyourpottery.com/Par Nic Torres

In this episode, Celeste Dowlan shares her journey into the world of pottery, emphasizing the importance of play and creativity. She discusses how her childhood experiences with mud shaped her artistic practice and the realization that pottery should be fun and experimental. Celeste describes the impact of her high school pottery class on her life,…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Nic Torres discusses the important decision potters face between creating pottery as an art form or focusing on selling their creations. He emphasizes the need to determine one's primary goal, as it significantly impacts the style and approach to pottery making. Whether choosing to pursue pottery purely for …

In this episode of Shape Your Pottery, Adam shares his journey through numerous failures and eventual successes in the pottery world. He discusses his worst experience of losing an entire kiln worth of work, how he started his pottery career from high school, and rediscovered it later in life. Adam emphasizes the importance of making pottery for on…

In this episode, Nic Torres reacts to a YouTube video titled 'How I Solve the Happy Artist's Curse,' discussing the intricacies of the creative process in art and pottery. He emphasizes the importance of finding joy in specific aspects of the creative process, even if not every part is enjoyable. By sharing personal experiences and stories from oth…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Nic Torres discusses how to know when you're heading in the right direction with your pottery. He shares his personal experiences, from learning to sculpt to creating fan art mugs, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the process and feeling excited about the end results. Nic highlights two key indicators:…

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' host Nic Torres interviews Nicole Curcio a passionate potter and painter. Nicole challenges the notion of comparing one's work to others, emphasizing the importance of individual growth and mental well-being. She shares her journey from falling in love with pottery in high school to the steps she is taking…

If you have been thinking about making fan art but aren't sure if it is actually your own voice or not never fear because in this episode I will be talking about just that Get your 53 themes by clicking this link shapingyourpottery.com/53themesPar Nic Torres

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery I am doing something a little different and reacting to Mae Ceramics about the Importance of Play For Creatives Check out Mae's youtube channel by clicking here https://www.youtube.com/@MaeCeramics Sign up to the upcoming Mastering Carved Pottery with Molly Walter virtual workshop by clicking here…

In this episode, host Nic Torres interviews Natalie Miller from Fledgling Studios, discussing pottery techniques and common misconceptions in the pottery world. Natalie shares her journey of discovering a passion for pottery, transitioning from a hairstylist to a full-time potter, and offers valuable advice on teaching, sketching, and adding humor …

There is a right and wrong way when comparing art in this episode that is exactly what you will be learning to do Join The Shaping Your Pottery Newsletter By Clicking This Link shapingyourpottery.com/newsletterPar Nic Torres

In this episode, the host welcomes a pottery artist Hitomi Aihara who transitioned from a marine biology career to becoming a full-time ceramicist. The discussion explores the importance of pursuing joy in pottery, the artist's journey starting with a COVID-era pottery kit, and the role of social media in growing their art practice. The conversatio…

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, host Nic Torres discusses how to overcome artistic stagnation by experimenting with new techniques and ideas. He shares his personal journey of evolving his pottery from traditional wheel techniques to incorporating sculptures. Nic emphasizes the importance of making art that brings joy to oneself first and …

In this episode of Shaping Your Pottery, Christina Bendo, a woodfire potter, delves into her journey and expertise in the world of pottery. Christina discusses the commonly held belief in the pottery community that potters must endure extensive and laborious methods to achieve success, which she passionately disagrees with, advocating for more sust…

In this episode of 'Shaping Your Pottery,' Nic Torres shares his strategies for regaining inspiration in pottery and art. He debunks the myth that inspiration is a prerequisite for creating art and provides practical methods to stimulate creativity. Nick discusses the benefits of engaging in activities you love, disconnecting from technology, takin…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …