Practice pots - workshop exercises in surface decoration
For several years I took pottery classes at local pottery studios. However, when no classes were available, I looked elsewhere for instruction. As a result, I began to attend pottery workshops.
Workshops provide a great opportunity to see different techniques, try new tools, and meet other potters. And, as I participated in more of them, I began to learn how to get the most out of them.
Here are my recommendations on how to take a pottery workshop:
- Be open – it isn’t right, it isn’t wrong, it’s just different
- Be humble – you can’t learn what you already know
- Don’t monopolize the conversation – you came with that info and you will leave with that info if no one else is sharing
- You don’t have to know it all or share all you know
- Try to learn all that you can – worry about whether it is your ‘style’ later
- Take notes and take pictures
- Do as many of the projects as you can – these are 3-D notes for you to take home with you
- Do as many of the projects as you can – because you won’t make time to try them at home (don’t believe the lie)
- Don’t worry about how well you throw or don’t throw – it will distract you from working at your best
- Enjoy the diversity of the other pots and allow them to inspire you rather than intimidate you
- If possible, purchase a pot from the instructor – it is the best example you can take home
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