Ceramics Blog
I write about pottery festivals, villages and treasures that I find while traveling and exploring. I share stories about my creative process and thoughts on the importance of ceramics in design, ritual and popular culture. I share tips on what to think about when buying handmade pottery and how you might use it in your design.
Embrace the Perfectly Imperfect in Handmade Pottery
Are small marks and mutations from the handmade process considered mistakes? Or are they the essence of what makes handmade pottery special? Let’s take a closer look at why imperfections happen and how they impact the value of pottery.
5 Books That Helped me Quit My Job to Become an Artist
Back in 2017 I wanted to quit my job and become an artist. It was a scary process filled with fear and self-doubt. Here are 5 books that helped me find my way.
Clay Meditation Workshop
On the evening of December 31st 2021 I led my first official clay meditation workshop at Amara Valley, a nature and wellness retreat center in the heart of Catalunya. The New Years retreat welcomed 30 or so guests in an intimate gathering combining yoga, nutrition, music, massage, drawing and yes–clay! It was an amazing experience …
10 Unique Ceramic Gift Ideas
Are you thinking of giving some ceramic gifts this year? Giving pottery is fun because it’s unique, handmade and something that most people enjoy. When you think of handmade pottery, you might be thinking of plates, mugs and dish sets. But your ceramic gifts don’t necessarily have to be for the kitchen. Here are some …
Using Ceramic Wall Plates in Your Interior Design
If you’re interested in incorporating plates into your decor, first you should consider all of the different kinds of plates available to you. Afterwards, you can decide if you want to use a stand-alone piece, a collection of different kinds of plates, or an assortment of similar plates.
Terrania Ceramics Festival 2019
Terrania is an International Ceramic Festival attracting clay artists and art lovers from near and far. The festival takes place in Montblanc, in the province of Tarragona.
Open Studios Poblenou 2019
The Tallers Oberts, or Open Studios, of PobleNou consists of four days in which the artistic spaces of Barcelona’s most creative neighborhood open their doors to the general public. The workshops offer a schedule of activities so that the visitors can get to know the artists’ work in a more profound way.
An Artist Uncovered
I was recently invited to participate in an online interview to share my experience as a ceramics artist. The interview is with ABM Wholesale Indonesia; a new company specializing in one-of-a-kind, handcrafted home decor, kitchen and dining ware.
Culture & Craft: Discovering Peruvian Pottery
On a recent trip I learned about Peruvian pottery from the Incas and other indigenous cultures. Their artwork inspired new reflections on the important links between craft, culture and storytelling.
An Artist’s Odyssey: Chasing Ghosts, Masters and The Business of Art, by Alan Pierce
Alan Pierce has recently published An Artists’ Odyssey, an e-book that provides insight and perspective into the joys and challenges of being a professional artist. Alan was kind enough to invite me to contribute a few words of advice for aspiring creatives.
Moroccan Pottery from Safi
Moroccan red clay is quarried from the Safi region and much of it is processed, thrown and fired on Colline des Potiers. Most potters still use traditional wood firing kilns, while some have updated to electric and gas kilns.
Fang Cuit 2018 – Ceramics Festival in La Bisbal D’empordà
Each summer the Bisbal Ceramics School puts together a ceramics festival called Fang Cuit (meaning “cooked clay”). The festival offers six days of conferences, exhibitions, demonstrations and performances. It’s all about learning, fun and the celebration of ceramics.
The Art of Slowing Down
I’ve come to the conclusion that if I slow down, so will my life. And my art is the key to slowing down. My transition into a creative career is bringing home life lessons that I previously only understood on an intellectual level.
Thanh Ha pottery village in Vietnam
When I explore art in other countries, I like to do more than just visit museums. If possible, I try to connect with the artists, see how and where they work, and even get my hands dirty. Sometimes traveling involves unexpected surprises. On a recent trip to Vietnam, I didn’t get my hands dirty so much as my feet.
Vertical Gardens & Handmade Ceramics at Flora Vertical
Recently, I started selling my work in a beautiful plant shop called Flora Vertical in Poble Nou. They specialize in creating vertical gardens.
Transforming Creativity into a Profession
After speaking at the InArtist inauguration event in March 2018 about Transforming Creativity into a Profession, I was honored to be asked to participate in a follow-up interview. Here are my replies.
Thanks for visiting my ceramics blog! I welcome your feedback in the comments or you can always reach me on my contact page or via social media.