Teaching again
by Tom Richards on 01/15/11
Teaching Again
I have been teaching children the past several years at an art camp on Beaver Island but now I have started teaching adults again. The class is a studio class at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art. It is a self directed exploration of clay. I will be coordinating, doing some demos and offering some guidance. I am excited for this opportunity since I get back as much as I give.
We are going to do some special firings as part of the class. I am planning on doing reduction firings, one for reds & celadons and one for shinos. The other firing would be an oxidation for oil spot. I hope to have the students understand the subtleties and requirements of the differences between the firing methods. I too want to explore as much as the students.
We had the first class a couple of days ago and the students are as excited as I am about doing the special firings. Oil spot glazes are gaining in popularity now, so we may be doing more of the oxidation firings instead of just one. I need to get cracking and make pots for the firings.
Exploration is an important part of what I am doing with my pots.
In pottery there is always something new to learn and incorporate. I am not
only looking at different forms but also surfaces and glazes.
Pushing the security of satisfaction.
