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 di ...