Welcome to our short side series — Clay Connections!

In a new series of the podcast, we are focusing on wellbeing, community and creativity. We believe in the power of creativity to heal and bring people together.

In this first episode we talk about our own journeys with mental health, when clay becomes work, process vs outcome, imposter syndrome, teaching, community and boundaries.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and needs help now, call triple zero (000). You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14 — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also find other supports here https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-helplines

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Talk to us via email birdsofclaypodcast@gmail.com or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.

Find us on Instagram
Rora @aurora_elwell
Jane @jane.orme.pottery

This week we were joined by Rachel North, an educator and multi-disciplinary artist working on Yuggera Ugarapul Country. Rachel's work explores the complex connections between landscape and memory. Using ceramics, painting and textiles to communicate her conceptual ideas, Rachel tells us how her practice has evolved over time to cross creative disciplines and deepen her understanding of how place can hold and hinder memory.

Rachel tells us about her experiences as an arts educator of the next generation and how she engages her students with the medium of clay. Lastly we ask Rachel how to begin working on a big project, and what's her piece of advice for other makers?

Keep in touch with Rachel and see her latest work here: @maple_and_raven_studio
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Talk to us via email birdsofclaypodcast@gmail.com or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.

Find us on Instagram
Rora @aurora_elwell
Jane @jane.orme.pottery

Today we had the privilege to talk to Nathanlie Marie. Nathanlie (aka Lily) is at the early stages of building a career in clay. It was wonderful to hear her deep passion for the material and be reminded of that obsession we both started with.

Nathanlie Marie is a Filipino artist currently based in Australia. Informed by her lived experience, she works with ceramics and sculpture to investigate the impact of memory on the human experience, as well as the individual and collective identity. Marie investigates the complex emotions brought on by sentimentality towards seemingly mundane objects and situations. Using familiar imagery and objects, combined with her bright and whimsical artistic style, she creates visual narratives which encourage viewers to reflect on their own experiences, through memory and how they perceive the world around them.

We're excited to see what she does next!

@nathanliemarie

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Talk to us via email birdsofclaypodcast@gmail.com or DM @birdsofclay_podcast.

Find us on Instagram
Rora @aurora_elwell
Jane @jane.orme.pottery