Jaime Franco
Website
jaimefranco.art
Instagram
jaimefranco_art
Email
jaimeannefranco@gmail.com
Artist Statement
Forgotten toys and favorite childhood clothes hold a special place in people’s hearts, even if they are no longer used. They carry memories of childhood adventures, imaginative play, and the innocence of youth. It is important to remember the significance of these toys, favorite clothes, and the happiness they once brought.
Studio Description
I have a home studio.
What type of clay do you use?
Cone 5 B-mix and B3 brown, also cone 4 wild clay.
What temperature do you fire to?
Cone 4 and 5. Raku.
What is your primary forming method?
Handbuilding
What is your favorite surface treatment?
Raku
Do you make any of your own tools?
Yes, I make molds, stamps, and adapt everyday items for ceramic use.
What one word would you use to describe your work?
Childhood
What is your favorite thing about your studio?
It has air conditioning and heating.
What is the one thing in your studio you can’t live without?
My large work table
What are your top three studio wishes?
Better lighting, more space, and a studio assistant
What’s on your current reading list?
Camille Claudel
How do you save money on materials and supplies?
I try not to waste by reclaiming clay and glaze, finding and processing my own clay, making glazes, and picking up supplies instead of paying for shipping.
How do you recharge creatively?
Going out into nature.
Do you have any DIY tips for studio efficiency?
Use a pipette to add water to glazes so you don't accidentally add too much.
What challenges have you given yourself to overcome?
I like to try everything from new clays to new techniques, so focusing on just one thing is challenging.
What did your first piece look like?
It was a pinch pot to test glazes on.
What ceramic superpower would you have and why?
I would like super strength so I could wedge clay, open containers, and easily lift heavy glaze and clay buckets.
What area of skill do you most look to other artists to learn?
Glaze recipes
Who is your ceramic art mentor and why?
I do not have one
What is on your studio playlist?
I open the doors and windows to listen to the birds and the wind through the trees.
Why do you create art?
It makes me happy.
Who is your favorite artist and what do you admire about that artist?
Claudel's ability to capture movement.
What is your best studio tip?
Use an old refrigerator as your damp room.
If you could change one property of clay, what would it be?
To be able to reclaim after a bisque firing.
