Free Daily Podcast Summary
Colour and Ceramics: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Bob Acton
Colour affects peoples’ emotional reactions and mood. In ceramics, the artist uses colour to imbue something other than that communicated from the form itself. This podcast explores the entire spectrum of colour, the psychology of colour, and how to use colour to communicate in ceramics. Bob will not only interview top ceramic artists from around the world but also artists using other mediums who use colour in their work.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 weeks ago40 min
Deana Bada Maloney: Nature-focused ceramic multimedia sculptor
On today's show, Bob Acton @bobacton, interviews Deana Bada Maloney, an Illinois-based ceramic artist and wildlife sculptor whose work brings together hand-built clay, animal anatomy, drawing, expressive surface, and mixed media.With a background in drawing, painting, anatomy, and scientific illustration, Deana has developed a highly observational approach to ceramic sculpture. She often thinks about working in clay as a form of three-dimensional drawing, using gesture, texture, and carefully observed anatomy to build animals that feel both physically convincing and full of character.Teaching has also become an important part of Deana’s practice. Through workshops and mentoring, she shares her approach to sculpting animals, studying anatomy, developing form, and using clay as a way of seeing more closely.Surface is another distinctive part of Deana’s work and teaching. She uses oxides to emphasize the marks made during sculpting and also works with inks on fired ceramic surfaces, allowing drawing and mark-making to continue after the firing process. Her workshops on inking ceramics explore how these materials can add depth, contrast, and character without completely covering the clay beneath.In this episode of the Colour and Ceramics Podcast, we talk about ceramic animal sculpture, drawing in three dimensions, studying anatomy, hand-building techniques, working with ink on ceramics, developing expressive surfaces, and what Deana has learned through teaching and mentoring other ceramic artists.If you are interested in ceramic sculpture, wildlife art, hand-building, clay workshops, animal anatomy, ceramic surface techniques, or using drawing as part of your ceramic practice, I think you’ll enjoy this conversation.
- Aug 18, 202634 min
Drew Caines: An English sculptor exploring the ancients.
My guest today is Drew Caines, a ceramic artist based in Leeds in the north of England who has been working with clay for almost 30 years.Drew creates richly textured, often sculptural work that brings together influences from very different points in human history. He draws inspiration from ancient Palaeolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic art, folklore and ethnography, while also pulling in contemporary influences such as street art and Pop art.There is a wonderful sense of something both ancient and strangely familiar in Drew's work. Pattern, texture and intricate detail are central to his making, but beneath the surface is a deeper interest in memory, emotion and our connection to the people who made things thousands of years before us.You can find his work here: https://www.instagram.com/drewcainesceramics/
- Jul 31, 202622 min
Susie Kathol: A Canadian biologist and potter living in the Rocky Mountains.
In this episode of Colour & Ceramics, Bob Acton @bobacton speaks with Susie Kathol, a ceramic artist, wildlife biologist, and botanist based in Revelstoke, BC.Susie brings her scientific knowledge and deep connection to the natural world into her ceramic practice, using sgraffito to carve images of plants and wildlife into the surfaces of her work.We talk about the relationship between science and art, learning ceramics within a supportive studio community, and how close observation of the natural world can find its way into clay.A lovely conversation about curiosity, nature, and developing an artistic practice alongside a life in science.Susie's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/susiekatholceramics/Susie's Website: https://susiekatholceramics.ca/
- Jul 17, 202633 min
Surface Stories Collective: A Toronto Arts Councill-funded Project
SPECIAL EDITION: In this episode of the Colour & Ceramics Podcast, we explore the Surface Stories Collective, https://surfacestoriescollective.lovable.app/, a Toronto-based initiative bringing non-ceramic artists from equity-deserving communities into the world of ceramic surface design.Through workshops, studio sessions, and a culminating exhibition at Gallery 1065 from July 24 to August 2, participants are expanding their creative practices, experimenting with clay, and building new connections across Toronto’s arts communities.It is an inspiring conversation with Natalie Waddell https://claygirl.ca and Christina Leslie https://www.christinaleslie.com/ about access, collaboration, and the possibilities that emerge when artists step into unfamiliar creative territory.Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.Produced with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.#ColourAndCeramics #SurfaceStoriesCollective #CeramicArt #TorontoArts #ContemporaryCraft
- Jul 15, 202647 min
Paul Smith: British Sculptor
My guest today is British ceramic sculptor Paul Smith, who has worked full-time from his studio in North Derbyshire since 1998. Paul is known for his bold, semi-abstract animal sculptures, combining simplified forms with expressive, richly layered surfaces.Inspired by ancient sculpture and pottery, Inuit and folk art, and his lifelong fascination with the natural world, Paul is especially drawn to horses, cattle, wolves, bears, and big cats. His recent work uses layers of slips, engobes, oxides, and underglazes to create sculptures that feel like treasured objects, marked by age and history.Alongside his studio practice, Paul now teaches his distinctive hand-building methods through masterclasses in the UK and internationally.You can find him here on his website: https://paulsmithsculptures.co.uk/ and on his Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/paulsmithsculptures/
- Jul 3, 202641 min
Mary Fox: A Canadian Potter who loves teaching
This week we're joined by Mary Fox, a self-taught BC potter who turned a lifetime of "learning at the school of hard knocks" into an acclaimed artistic career. Mary shares her journey from functional pottery to exploratory art, her approach to surface design and colour, and why she created the Legacy Project Apprentice Program — a rare two-year apprenticeship helping young Canadian potters become studio professionals. 🎧 Listen now!See her work and all about her apprentice program https://maryfoxpottery.ca/
- May 13, 202636 min
Kristine Zingelar: A Canadian interdisciplinary artist.
In this episode, Bob Acton joined by interdisciplinary artist Kristine Zingeler.Kristine works across photography, collage, drawing, painting, and sculpture, creating subtle but powerful work that explores interconnectedness, time, and the constant state of change in both humanity and the natural world.Her practice begins with close observation and collecting, giving new significance to rocks, feathers, nests, insects, plants, and other overlooked fragments of the everyday. Her recent work moves beautifully between image and object, ancient and immediate, tiny and monumental.Listen in for a thoughtful conversation about attention, process, material, and the quiet power of noticing.You can find her work on her website at: https://www.kristine-zingeler.com/ and on her Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/kristinezingeler/
- Apr 7, 202642 min
Sarah Pike: A Canadian potter making exquisite slab-built, functional ware.
This week on Colour and Ceramics, Bob Acton is joined by Sarah Pike, one of Canada’s top ceramic artists. Sarah is a full-time potter based in Fernie, British Columbia, where she makes functional slab-built pottery from her home studio. Her work carries a wonderful sense of movement and personality, shaped by the mountain landscape around her and inspired by antique tinware, textured metal, and old handmade objects. Sarah studied ceramics at ACAD in Calgary, and also studied at the University of Colorado and the University of Minnesota. It was a real pleasure to talk with her about clay, making, and the ideas that continue to shape her distinctive body of work.Find her website and Instagram page here: https://www.sarahpikepottery.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sarahpikepottery/
About Colour and Ceramics
Colour affects peoples’ emotional reactions and mood. In ceramics, the artist uses colour to imbue something other than that communicated from the form itself. This podcast explores the entire spectrum of colour, the psychology of colour, and how to use colour to communicate in ceramics. Bob will not only interview top ceramic artists from around the world but also artists using other mediums who use colour in their work.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Colour and Ceramics in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Colour and Ceramics daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Colour and Ceramics as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Colour and Ceramics podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Colour and Ceramics product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Bob Acton.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Colour and Ceramics release new episodes?
Colour and Ceramics publishes monthly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Colour and Ceramics cover?
Colour and Ceramics covers topics including Arts. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Colour and Ceramics summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.