Ceramic Arts Daily

TOM and ELAINE COLEMAN
ALL AROUND PORCELAIN

Tom and Elaine are teaming up to share their considerable knowledge of porcelain with you. Tom will be throwing and altering work on the wheel and sharing his porcelain slip decoration techniques. Elaine will demonstrate her incising porcelain techniques which add another dimension to her pieces. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of the character and handling of porcelain, and how far you can push Coleman Porcelain Clay when carving.

Additional Information:
Tom Coleman
I have been writing artist statements for many years and for the most part I find the experience much like a self-message. Recently when asked to repeat this task someone said just tell us what you are about, and what do you believe in? It didn’t take me long to think about this since I talk about it in every workshop I give. First and most, I believe one must have a true love of the medium. Second, I believe in the quality, the highest one can achieve to their ability. Third, since I was trained in the classic Japanese tradition, I think that pure form, composition and balance must be learned before one can attempt such things as sculptural or a-symmetrical pieces.

Starting off as a functional potter with a degree in fine art helped me advance to the position I am in today. Money helps pay the bills, but it can’t be the sole reason one becomes involved with any art form. My true love of clay, glazes, and the process of finishing my pieces have helped me stay just as excited about my art as I was when I started thirty eight years ago.

Elaine Coleman
I have been incising porcelain for thirty years and I still love doing it as much as when I started. My work used to only involve the taking away of clay from the form, but in the last several years I have been adding clay to make another layer and surface dimension. There is something magical about this technique that seems to bring each piece to life towards the end of that process. The final lines in my carved pieces are enhanced by the use of celadon glazes that help define the design. Moving to Nevada has influenced my drawing, but I still like doing other images. I carve for myself first and have been most fortunate that serious collectors appreciate my work

For more information about Tom and Elaine, visit: www.tomandelainecoleman.com

MARY CUZICK
FIND YOUR VOICE IN PORCELAIN
Mary will demonstrate how she achieves her intricate patterns and designs through a combination of hand carving, slip trailing and glaze application techniques. She will share some of the glazes from the palette she uses to enhance her carving without obscuring the delicate designs. She will also discuss how multiple layers of glazes are applied by pouring and spraying, and how wax resist is used to separate and develop glaze patterns. Mary will share ideas and thought processes so that you may find your own voice in porcelain clay.

Additional Information:
Mary began her journey in clay when she took a pottery class taught by David Cuzick in 1989. David, her husband since 1996, continues to be the most positive influence on her work. Mary and David share a studio that David opened over thirty years ago in Spring Valley, California. Her pottery is characterized by vivid color combinations, and intricate labor intensive designs. Mary says: “I think of my work as a wild ride in clay.It’s definitely free spirited and whimsical, which makes each piece a pleasure to create.”

For more information about Mary, visit: www.cuzickpottery.com

MEIRA MATHISON
MAKE MEANINGFUL POTS
Meira’s demonstration will include throwing and altering techniques including cutting, scoring, stamping and manipulation of the form. Textured additions will include colored clay sprigs, stamps and the use of thick slips. Meira will discuss glazes including mid-range electric glazes that look similar to high fire gas reduction glazes.

Meira will focus on making pots that are meaningful to the individual maker’s needs with an emphasis on personal aesthetics. She will challenge you to answer, “how do you personalize our pots, make them original?” Influences in your life such as environment, financial considerations, and personality impact your work. Meira will discuss how you as an artist can capitalize on these influences.

Additional Information:
Meira has maintained her studio, Dancerwood Pottery in Victoria, more than 29 years while conducting clay workshops throughout Canada, the USA and Mexico. She is noted for her high-fired altered porcelain and distinctive surface treatment. Her work can be found at the BC Gallery in Vancouver plus a number of galleries in the USA. Since 1992 Meira has been the Executive Director of the Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts.

Of her work, Meira says: “I love what I do! Whether it is making a pot, participating in discussions with artists, or teaching and helping potters stretch their abilities. My pots reflect my life - ever changing, a life full with color, fun, and pushing the limits”.

She especially enjoys the mentoring aspects of teaching and setting-up challenges for students that push them beyond mere techniques. She is a founding member of the South Vancouver Island Potters Guild.

For more information about Meira, visit: www.victoriapotters.ca/members/MeiraMathison/

TOM TURNER
DISCOVER THE INFINITE POTENTIAL OF PORCELAIN

Turner covers the entire making process, from forming to finishing through firing. He will discuss surface decoration and how it integrates with form. Attendees will leave with several ways to develop their surfaces to the fullest potential by using faceting, paddling, fluting and stamping. Tom will also discuss the importance of glaze and how it relates to each individual pot. Learn from a master potter how to work with this challenging ceramic material: Porcelain.


Additional Information:
Tom received his undergraduate degree in Art from Illinois State University in 1968. He taught crafts while in the Army and then was asked to establish a ceramic art program for the College of Architecture at Clemson University. He did so in 1971 and taught there until 1976 when he resigned to work full time in his studio. He received his M.F.A at Clemson in 1973, moved to Florida in 1979, moved in 1982 to Medina, Ohio, moved to Delaware, Ohio in 1986 and moved to Mars Hill, North Carolina in 2005. He has worked with high fired porcelain for over 35 years.

He has taught at the leading craft schools in the country such as Penland, Arrowmont, The Archie Bray Foundation and has conducted workshops in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Washington D.C., Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, New Jersey and Michigan (over 125 in all). He has been visiting artist at Illinois State University and The Ohio State University.

For more information about Tom visit: www.tomturnerporcelain.com

Note: The conference will be held at the Hotel.

Holiday Inn Express
3900 Old Town Avenue
San Diego, CA 92110
(866) 208-3280
(619) 358-8253
www.hioldtownhotel.com

Direct Link for Reservation: Make Your Reservation Online

$109 per night for Single or Double, Rate includes complimentary deluxe continental Breakfast (with some hot items); Complimentary Airport Shuttle Service (based on availability); Complimentary Hi-Speed and Wireless Internet; In-Room Microwave/Refrigerator.

Underground parking is available, currently at a rate of $12 per vehicle, per night. Rates are subject to change without notice.

Ask for Potters Council meeting block to get preferred rates. Room block will be held until January 6, 2010.

Note: The Conference is held at the Holiday Inn Express.