Description
Each participant will bring with them ideas and, ideally, a sketch of the type of figure or design they would like to carve into a vase form. We will discuss the techniques and requirements which allow the carver to take away the negative space from a design, but leave the final form structurally sound. Techniques for refining and finishing each form on the inside and outside of the pieces as they progress from a soft-leather-hard to hard, will be shared. There will also be a demonstration by Mary Jane of the glazing techniques she has developed to bring out the details of your carving.
About the Instructor
While growing up in Altadena, California, Mary Jane Elgin fell in love with the Craftsman aesthetic at a very young age. After receiving a BA in Art from Pomona College, she traveled to Japan, where she continued to hone her art skills, studying Sumie Painting and Silk Weaving with various local teachers and masters. She learned new techniques and insights, gaining a deeper appreciation for the dedicated work and aesthetics of the Japanese artist. Mary Jane began her exploration and study of ceramics in her fifties, during which time she developed her own techniques for carving into and through her ceramic pieces, releasing the hidden inside space to offer a fresh and different view. It is these insights and techniques that she will be sharing with participants in this workshop.
Learn More
www.maryjaneceramics.com
Materials List
You will need to bring:
Your personal clay tools for hand building. These should include an exacto knife and a needle tool. (The instructor will also bring extras of her favorite tools for anyone who wants to try them.)
Paper and pencil
A banding wheel if you have one
Provided by instructors:
Small boards
Clay cloths
Pre-made vase forms for carving