The Hand, The Eye:

The Hand, The Eye: Hands-on Exploration of Form & Surface with Mike Stumbras

• Saturday, June 22nd and
  Sunday, June 23rd

• Time: 10am to 4pm

Often, the most effective method for assimilating new techniques into your artistic practice is through direct hands-on experience. In this workshop, Mike will work alongside students to demonstrate and guide the investigation of various techniques including hand construction techniques, slip trailing, water etching, gold luster application, and spray glazing application for atmospheric effects. He will speak about his design philosophy and the ornate historical work that influences him.

Students will be provided with clay and some specific tools. Students may choose to bring clay that they are comfortable working with. Students are encouraged but not required to bring a few leather hard and/or bone dry pieces to work on during the workshop.


DAY ONE:

• In the morning, Mike demos wheel throwing and hand-building construction techniques and talks about his handle-making philosophy and finding your voice in clay. Students can spend time working on or off of the wheel alongside Mike and will receive feedback during work time. Students determine the amount of time spent demoing vs making. Students receive handouts including written process overviews, glaze recipes, and other technical info.

• In the Afternoon, Mike will do a water etching demo on bone dry ware. Students will practice shellac/wax painting as these pieces need to sit overnight before abrading. Mike will give an introduction to the slip trailing process and distribute some tools for this.

• In the evening, Mike will give a slide presentation about his work and philosophy (approx. 40 minutes). This can also be moved to the morning or scheduled at the convenience of the host.

DAY TWO:

• In the morning, Mike will demo finishing up multicomponent forms and give an in-depth slip trailing demo. Students will practice slip trailing on their own work made during Day 1. Students can also apply shellac to work made during Day 1. Mike does quick demos throughout the day relevant to the students interests and to illustrate suggestions.

• In the afternoon, water-etched pieces from the day before will be completed, and a short glazing demo with some basic information about glaze chemistry and the application of lusters will be included. Individual critiques are optional, but students will be provided with contact information to receive feedback from Mike in the future if they wish to do so.
  
  

Studio will provide:

• Pre-made cone10 Bmix greenware tiles for participants to use for testing

• Communal bucket of Bmix slip for slip-trailing

Students should bring:

• You favorite throwing clay (Bmix or porcelain is recommended), throwing tools, bats, & towel

• 4-5 leather hard greenware pieces

• Lunch

$350

• We have three sliding scale spots available. Please inquire with janisse@gbclayhouse.com for more information.

Due to high demand, kindly cancel by Saturday, June 15th to receive a full refund. Cancellations made after June 15th will only receive a 50% refund. Cancellations made after Saturday, June 19th will not receive a refund at all. There are no refunds once the workshop has begun.

Unfortunately, we can not hold credit for a future workshop either.

Thank you for your understanding.

Students must be intermediate to advanced wheel throwers.

• I am a beginner, can I take this workshop?
  No, unfortunately this class is for intermediate to advanced wheel throwing students only.