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Paul Briggs
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Website
www.psbriggs.com
Email
info@psbriggs.com
Artist Statement
I use a process I call “pure pinching.” That is, the goal of my practice is to be present to the largely intuitive process of growing a form, most often, out of one piece of clay—it becomes a mindful practice. I don’t add or subtract any clay.
Studio Description
The tiled floor was why we got the house and the shelf on the wall underneath the window is nice too. It’s a finished basement studio with a 30-year-old Bailey slab roller, a wonderful sculpture stand, and a few banding wheels. Kiln’s in the garage.
What type of clay do you use?
Stoneware
What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 6 and 10
What is your primary forming method?
I equally use pinch-forming and slab-building.
What is your favorite surface treatment?
High relief pinch-formed surfaces. I can’t say no to a lovely Shino glaze.
Do you make any of your own tools?
I do make many tools. I’ve made my own stilts, a number of specially cut foam supports and a cylindrical platform with holes in it to access the inside of an upside down vessel.
What one word would you use to describe your work?
Expansive
What is your favorite thing about your studio?
My partner’s studio is down the hall.
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
Nothing really, I just need some moist clay; OK, my banding wheels.
What are your top three studio wishes?
My top three wishes are a:
New slab roller
New potter’s wheel and a
Bigger window.
What’s on your current reading list?
A Ceramics Reader
How do you save money on materials and supplies?
I save money by not buying anything I don’t absolutely need.
How do you recharge creatively?
Exercise
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
In a community studio, keep the studio tidy, neat and well ordered. In a home studio, keep the studio well ordered, neat and tidy.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
I daily overcome the challenge of trying to be someone other than my own true creative self.
What did your first piece look like?
My first piece looked like Santa’s black and red boot. In fact my first piece in middle school was a slipcast red and black Santa boot.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
My superpower is pinch-forming a vessel, no addition or subtraction, from one lump of clay. I often hear the theme from Wonder Woman-“Oh mighty Isis.”
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
I most often hear the wise words of Wayne Higby in my head. But my students’ risk taking guides me.
What is your studio playlist?
Silence, or better the sound of art making is sufficient when I’m truly in the zone.
Why do you create art?
I create art because I cannot not create art. I create art becomes it gives me scope to concretely philosophize about life.
What is your best studio tip?
When pinching and hand building, being attentive to the stages of clay are most critical. Working with clay at the drying stages are very important.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
I would lower the maturity temperature of fired stoneware.
