Ep 620: Protecting Your Artistic Voice with Martha Grover

The Maker's Playbook

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What happens when we approach our artistic development not as lightning-bolt inspiration but as intentional practice—exploring the minute details that fascinate us while carefully choosing which external voices we allow to influence our work? Throughout her 23-year career, Martha Grover has done just that, and the iconic look of her distinct thrown and altered porcelain vessels reveals how a pragmatic approach to the mystical journey of finding your creative voice can often be the most sustainable approach. In this episode, Martha shares the realities of being a studio potter in 2025 and how that actually looks like balancing her time between many different roles. Whether it be teaching workshops, running a community studio or maintaining her own making practice, Martha demonstrates how “success” for artists today often means deciding what is enough rather than giving in to constant growth. Even when you have a 101 person waitlist. Could the clarity to set these boundaries be what allows your unique artistic voice to thrive both creatively and financially?

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Chapters

1. Martha Grover (00:00:00)

2. Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:03:51)

3. Martha's Journey to Becoming a Potter (00:04:09)

4. Navigating the Digital Shift in Pottery (00:04:59)

5. The Impact of Social Media on Art (00:06:42)

6. Collaborative Projects and Public Feedback (00:08:34)

7. Finding and Developing a Unique Style (00:13:06)

8. Exploring Glaze Techniques and Color (00:19:31)

9. Balancing Teaching and Studio Practice (00:23:45)

10. Managing a Community Studio (00:28:36)

11. The Reality of Being a Full-Time Potter (00:36:26)

12. Reflecting on Missed Opportunities in Real Estate (00:42:22)

13. The Impact of Historical Support Systems on Artists (00:43:56)

14. Moving from Montana to Maine: A Personal Journey (00:45:30)

15. Challenges of Relocating a Pottery Studio (00:50:51)

16. Building a Clay Community in Bethel, Maine (00:53:10)

17. Balancing Self-Employment and Personal Projects (00:55:02)

18. The Importance of Direct Sales for Artists (00:57:40)

19. The Role of Social Media in an Artist's Career (01:03:26)

20. Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans (01:13:14)