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Deb Paradise,
Paradise Creative Expressions,
Hoover, AL
Website: http://www.paradisecreativeexpressions.com/
Email: deb@paradisecreativeexpressions.com
Artist Statement:
Creative expression in clay requires surrender, trust, and detachment. Through transformation by fire, each piece is made stronger or destroyed by its own strengths and weaknesses, making them all the more precious and beautiful for this victory.
Studio Description:
Our studio is open, bright and welcoming. Oriented to hand building, we have a production room, a glaze and spray booth and a clean room for meetings and finishing product, in 1500 sq/ft. The equipment is on rollers to provide maximum flexibility.
What type of clay do you use?
Porcelain.
What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 6-7.
What is your primary forming method?
Slab and hand building.
What is your favorite surface treatment?
Bisque, with texture.
Do you make any of your own tools?
We create anything needed to achieve the desired effect.
What one word would you use to describe your work?
Sophisticated.
What is your favorite thing about your studio?
I love the light from a huge bay of windows and the ability to watch all the day to day movement.
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
My assistant is the one thing I cant’ live without in my studio. Oh, that and the couch.
What are your top three studio wishes?
1. A little more space would be nice.
2. Self cleaning studio that manages dust perfectly!
3. An assistant for my assistant.
What’s on your current reading list?
Tom Robbins, “Skinny Legs and All”.
How do you save money on materials and supplies?
Do I save money on those things? Buy in bulk.
How do you recharge creatively?
With a usb port… lol…No really, I look at things, nature, shopping, anything and everything with shape.
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
Have a Monday meeting and set the pace for the week. Also a big calendar with deadlines on it in red is very motivating.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
Marketing, promoting and meeting new clients. Staying productive in lulls in projects.
What did you first piece look like?
It actually turned out very well. It’s those experiments that came after that didn’t work out so well.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
I am a Clay Whisperer.
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
Beatrice Wood
What is your studio playlist?
A whole bunch of all of it.
Why do you create art?
It’s in me and it has to come out.
What is your best studio tip?
Trust your audience when they like it and you don’t.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
I would make it bounce when you drop it.