Have you ever held a piece of pottery and marveled at the skill and creativity required to transform a lump of clay into an object of beauty? Imagine that same object, weaponized, and the story it could tell. That's the fascinating path we travel with our guest, PJ Anderson, in today's episode. From her art school days, PJ shares how she cultivated her craft, learning important techniques like glaze and slip chemistry and the invaluable role her network of potter friends played in shaping her as an artist. Ever seen a six-and-a-half-foot, four-hundred-pound mech armor robot sculpture? PJ talks about her journey in creating this massive piece, a symbol of her skill, precision, and boundless creativity. But PJ's work is not just about size and scale; it's about weaving narratives into the everyday, inspired by her studies in anthropology. She shares how she has weaponized everyday objects, transforming them into powerful cultural statements. As we round off our conversation, PJ addresses the significant topic of accessibility in the medium of pottery. She critiques the elitism often associated with art school education and shares her personal struggle to overcome art school-instilled biases in her ongoing journey to democratize the art of pottery. From her story, you'll gain a fresh perspective on pottery, an inspiration to continue creating, and the encouragement to make loud, meaningful statements with your creativity. You can learn more about Pj by checking out her instagram @pjandersonceramics Top 3 Value Bombs: 1. The podcast episode emphasizes the importance of continuous creation in the art world. PJ Anderson urges aspiring artists to push beyond their self-doubts and fears and to continue producing their art. By expressing their creativity and making 'louder' statements through their art, they can push boundaries and express their unique artistic voices. 2. Anderson also explores the concept of 'weaponization' in her art, transforming everyday objects into symbols of expression and critique. This unique perspective demonstrates how artists can infuse deeper meaning and social commentary into their work, elevating it beyond its aesthetic value. 3. The episode also tackles the elitism in art education, highlighting how biases can be unconsciously instilled in artists during their education. Anderson discusses her personal journey to overcome these biases, emphasizing the importance of making art more accessible and inclusive for everyone, regardless of their educational background. and there is so much more  Resources: Take this Free Quiz to see how close you are to finding your pottery voice click here to take the quiz shapingyourpottery.com/quiz  The Questions we ask will determine how our pottery will look like that's why I created a Free 15 questions to help you discover your voice template go grab it here www.shapingyourpottery.com/questions