Episode 51- 60 of the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

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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 61- 70 click here.

Ep. 60 Mark Hewitt on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with Mark Hewitt. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, to a family who worked for Spode China, Hewitt has been around ceramics his entire life. During college an encounter with Bernard Leach's "A Potter's Book" set him in the direction of studio pottery and towards the apprenticeship system of education. A major proponent of the system Hewitt spent years training with both Michael Cardew and Todd Piker. Upon finishing his training he moved to Pittsboro, NC where he has maintained a studio since 1983. In the interview we talk about his time with Michael Cardew, the value of an apprenticeship, and developing the confidence needed to run a major workshop. For more information on Mark's work please visit www.hewittpottery.com

Ep. 59 Ben Owen on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with Ben Owen III from Seagrove, NC. He has been potting since the age of eight and is the sixth generation of the Owen family to work in clay. In addition to a childhood steeped in the family pottery tradition, Owen studied ceramics at Eastern Carolina University and has been a resident artist in Tokoname, Japan. In our interview we talk about the history of Seagrove, the art of story telling, and becoming an advocate for craft in North Carolina. To see examples of Ben Owen pottery please visit www.benowenpottery.com.

Ep. 58 The Owens family talk about Jugtown on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with Vernon, Pam, and Travis Owens. They run the Jugtown Pottery just outside of Seagrove, NC. Jugtown's history stretches back to 1917 when the founders Jacques and Juliana Busbee started buying pots from local North Carolina potters to sell in their tea room in Greenwich Village, NYC. Although Jugtown has gone through many transitions in it's nine decade history the Owens family has been a main stay for much of its development. Vernon started working at Jugtown in 1960, for then owner John Mare, and has been working there ever since. In our interview we talk about the Busbee style, the stewardship of the nonprofit Crossroads Inc., and the evolving nature of tradition. To see examples of the Jugtown pottery please visit www.jugtownware.com.

Ep. 57 Sid Luck on the the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with fifth generation potter Sid Luck. With his wood-burning groundhog kiln, he continues a family tradition of pottery making that has existed in the Seagrove, NC area since the early 19th century. Sid started making pottery for JB Cole in 1957 and though he has had other professions he has never stopped making pottery. In the interview we talk about whiskey jugs, war, and the evolution of the Luck tradition. For more information on Sid's work please visit www.lucksware.com.

Ep. 56 Live at the NC Potter's Conference with Brian Jones

This live episode was taped at the North Carolina Potter's conference. The episode features myself and Brian Jones presenting on Pottery, Podcasting and Posterity to a wonderful audience at the Sunset Theater in Asheboro, NC. In the interview we talk about creative competition, social media as ceramic advocacy, and developing a podcasting style. Brian Jones is a ceramic artist and podcaster based in Portland, OR. You can find out more about his work and podcast at www.brianrjones.com. You can access his podcast directly by subscribing to the Brian R Jonescast on Stitcher and iTunes.

Ep. 55 Lisa Orr on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with ceramic artist Lisa Orr. Based in Austin, TX she makes colorful earthenware pottery reminiscent of a garden in full bloom. She has developed a unique method of turning pots in bisque molds on a potters wheel. This achieves a soft uniquely manipulated form, which is then colored with runny translucent glazes. In the interview we talk about the influence of Betty Woodman, color synesthesia, and Lisa's documentaries on Mexican folk pottery. You can see more of Lisa's work at www.lisaorr.com.

Ep. 54 Lisa Stinson on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with ceramic artist and educator Lisa Stinson. I had the great pleasure of studying under Lisa at Appalachian State University. In the interview we talk about her teaching philosophy, why its so hard to make a good pot, and the creative tension that comes from collaboration. You can see more of Lisa's work at the Appalachian State University faculty gallery.

Ep. 53 Tommy Frank on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features an interview with ceramic artist Tommy Frank. His current body of sculptural work uses the childhood piggy bank to address consumption in the American economy. His pig armies fill gallery spaces asking the viewer to question how we teach children the value of hoarding in our society. In addition to his studio practice Frank is the studio manager of Red Star Studios in Kansas City, MO. In the interview we talk about pop culture, masculinity, and the growth of Red Star Studios. You can see more of Tommy's work at www.frankarts.com. For more information on Red Star Studios please visit www.redstarstudios.org. 

Ep. 52 Asheville Live Ramble with Josh Copus, Alex Matisse, and Lindsay Rogers

This live episode features a panel discussion with Josh Copus, Alex Matisse, and Lindsay Rogers about the crossover between farm-to-table dining and the ceramic world. In the interview we talk about the basics of farm-to-table, the search for authenticity, and designing site specific ware for a restaurant setting. Josh Copus is a studio potter and co-founder of the Clayspace Co-op in Asheville, NC. You can find our more about his work atwww.joshcopus.com. Alex Matisse is a studio potter and founder of East Fork Pottery in Madison County, NC. You can find out more about his work at www.eastforkpottery.com. Lindsay Rogers is a studio potter based in Asheville, NC. You can find out more about her work at www.lindsayrogersceramics.com. The discussion was taped live at the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts in Asheville, NC. To find our more about the programs the Odyssey Center has to offer please visit www.odysseyceramicarts.com.

Ep. 51 Kline, Carpenter, and Philbeck on the Tales of a Red Clay Rambler Podcast

This episode features a panel discussion with Michael Kline, Kyle Carpenter, and Ron Philbeck on the nuts and bolts of making a living as a potter. The conversation covers a wide variety of topics including building an audience, saving for retirement, and dealing with health insurance. Michael Kline maintains a studio in Bakersville, NC. Along with making pottery he teaches workshops and maintains the popular ceramics blog www.sawdustanddirt.com. For more information about his work please visit www.klinepottery.com. Kyle Carpenter lives in Asheville, NC where he runs a studio in the historic river arts district. For more information about his work please visit www.carpenterpottery.com. Ron Philbeck operates a studio in Shelby, NC. For more information on his work please visit www.ronphilbeckpottery.com. All three of the panelists are active on Facebook, Instagram, and other forms of social media.