I have worked in clay since high school. As a matter of fact, I was the teacher's assistant my Junior and Senior year. I learned to measure and make glazes besides working in clay. The most I remembered from the class was how to make hand built boxes.
Later I took a college class and learned how how to be more creative with clay with less boundaries. For example, I learned to make story plates. These were pieces of work where the scene you created had to convey a tale or story.
My first creation was a story about my three younger brother and a pizza I made for them when our mother was going to stay out late. I was responsible for making our dinner. She told me to make sure I served peas that night. I explained I was making pizza and she, again, told me to give them peas. She got very upset with my pizza response and began cursing. I agreed to serve the peas.
That night, I poured the entire can of peas over the pizza.
My brothers never forgot the night I made a beautiful homemade pizza and then dumped slimy canned peas all over it.
The story plate showed this.
My next story plate was about my large marmalade cat that enjoyed bananas. No really big story behind this... just a cat and a banana.
I still have both pieces.
I learned how to make orbs from pinch pots and how to raku. I loved both classes.
I later joined a clay group in Oregon. It was more for socializing than creating... so,
I bought my own kiln and started working at home.
Last month, a friend of mine told me about a new pottery place that opened in Crescent City, California. It is called the Talking Crow. We stopped by and signed up for a two day tile class. Despite the fact I have worked in clay for a few years, I love the opportunity to see what others are doing and to improve my skills.
I went to the first session today. It was probably the best clay class I have taken. The instructor was excellent. She was positive and informative. She showed several methods for making tiles.
1) Burnishing leaves into clay and sponging a different color slip over it.
2) Cutting around the leaf.
3) Cutting the leaf itself out.
4) Adding different color clays onto the tile and using the slab roller to push the clay into the tile.
5) Adding molded pieces.
It was fun! Everyone in the class was enjoying themselves.
I can't wait for the next class to see the finished work.
As for my bowls, I am currently working on. I glazed them and they are in kiln right now.
Oh and after today's class, I tried something new. Since they are beach bowls, I added sand to each bowl after glazing them. I can't wait to see the results in the morning.
