Last night’s topic for my Beginning Wheelthrowing class was “basic bowls.”
Truthfully, teaching my beginners how to make a bowl on purpose
instead of a cylinder gone bad and “oops, look I have a bowl” bowl.
So we started with basic bowl instructions & demonstrations. Then we took a quick break
from the demo as I sat down and quickly threw eight basic bowls. Then we regrouped &
discussed how to alter these basic bowls and turn them into something not “quite so basic.”
Before they knew it, the “strikingly similar” eight 2-pound bowls were suddenly all different
with the help of a little fluting, flaring, slip painting and a quick creativity.
I hope that they get the point that they should commit to their artwork and make it
their own. Anyone can make a smooth, round, plain bowl. That the clay is not as fragile
as they think… that they can push it a little further. And that a little effort, design
& creativity can make a huge difference in their bowls!
Gary, love the addition of the stamping.
Yesterday I threw 2 bowls with my 4 year old grandson and he slipped the interior of 1 green and spiraled the other. I consider myself a ‘bowl genious’ after all my angst with cylinders. Thanks for all the inspiration.
HEY PAM – So glad you’ve found your “niche”… not everyone needs to make cylinders, huh?! And too cute that you have already shared your newest passion with your little grandson! See you Tuesday night when we continue our clay adventure… Let’s hope Chuck brings cookies again?!!!
Gary those are sooooooo cool!
And soooooooo simple… even my beginners are now making them! It’s just a little tweak here, a little slip there… and the confidence to make it happen!