The Coy Craftsman

Preparing for workshops. Thinking about the format, getting the publicity done.  Then, endless lists of materials and possible directions. Endless checklists. Endless, tedious, resolving of small questions, endless, finicky, decisions.

But yet, somehow, the enthusiasm persists and the contours of life become more vivid with plans and participation.

I get so much out of doing workshops: will I get anything at all out of giving them?

workshops

I have decided to plunge in and offer some slabbing workshops, hoping to bring together a few people who can see their manipulation of clay and fire as a vehicle for ideas and connection. It is hard to imagine the leap of faith necessary for people who have never touched clay to see how they can produce something that is not blobby and disgusting. It is my job to offer real boundaries to someone's aspiration: not too ambitious, but ambitious enough. We will probably not find anyone who is totally a beginner and perhaps even come up with some people who have ideas and know their mind. But I have no expectations one way or another, in this regard.

In fact, it is patent that I have very few expectations: I am sure of what is on offer and positive that it is good value and worthwhile. I am sure that the experience of working in a group towards a three dimensional object that you create from a blank material should be richer than working alone in pre-formed substances that offer much more limitation from true outset... so long as you are not too intimidated at the prospect!

The reason for insisting on slabbing is that you have to have a solid starting point given that everything else is open to interpretation.

We will see who takes up this challenge and what the end product will be.

Workshop will be on 22nd and 29th June and on 13th July 2012 in Holymoorside Village Hall.