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Fast Action Hand Building: Expressive Narrative Sculpture with Animals

Description

 

Instructor:  Jeff Downing
Schedule

# of Sessions: 4
Location: Ceramics Studio
Level/Prerequisite: Intermediate/Advanced
Tuition/Admission: Member $345, Non-member $430
Supply Fee: $50

Description: Jeff Downing will discuss inspiring approaches to making thought-provoking animal narrative sculptures using leather-hard pressed slabs combined with sections of moist clay. The emphasis will be on working at a quick pace to create exciting forms that come to life with lots of personality and character. Through demonstrations and example images, students will be motivated to create their own stories using a variety of Jeff’s unique “fast action hand-building” techniques. Working from memory, drawings, or photos, students will be encouraged to imagine a variety of narrative scenarios that feature dogs and/or any other animals. Students will learn how to make interesting bases, colorful backgrounds and extraordinary environments that beckon curiosity and wonder. Students will gain an understating of how to use colored slips and underglazes applied in layers to achieve intriguing and painterly surfaces on their clay work. Concept, composition, form, technical solutions, fundamental glaze chemistry and kiln functions will be covered throughout the workshop. 

Instructor’s Bio

Born in Port Chester New York, a suburb of New York City, Jeff Downing discovered the art of  ceramics while majoring in music composition at the State University of New York at Purchase. Drawn  to the spirit of experimentation and nonconformity that characterizes art and artists in California, Downing moved to San Francisco in 1985 where he rapidly became exposed to a broad spectrum of  ceramic sculpture being produced and exhibited in the region. Downing studied with several well known artists in the San Francisco Bay Area and went on to earn his MFA from San Francisco State  University in 1992. He has taught ceramics workshops and classes at various institutions throughout  the country. Jeff exhibits his sculpture internationally and in the United States and he has received  numerous awards for his work. He is currently in his 25th year on the faculty at San Francisco State University where he is a Professor of Art and the Head of the Ceramics Area.

Supply Fee Includes 

• Sculpting clay containing some grog. 25lbs. is included with workshop. Additional clay is available for  purchase. 

• Bisque and glaze firing of work 

• Some studio underglazes and slips 

• Use of studio ware boards during the workshop 

• A basic kit of clay sculpting tools. If you need to purchase ahead of time, I recommend the following  Kemper brand tool package: PTK Pottery Tool Kit. In addition, these other tools are helpful but not  necessary: JA18 wood modeling tool, FRH-Rubber rib, D2 wire tool. I will also bring an array of  specialized tools for you to try out while at the workshop. 

• Plastic thin wrap – Sheet painter’s plastic, large clear or black trash bags, or large shopping bags. Bring  enough to cover 1-3 pieces of work in progress.  

Other materials (not required): 

• A selection of brushes for slip application. I use ½” – 1½” house paint brushes from the hardware  store, and small round #2, #4, #6, #8 watercolor brushes.  

• Small turntable or potter Lazy Suzan (if you have one) 

• Stamps and random small found objects to imprint in the clay. I use mechanical things like bolts and  screws. I also use things found in nature things like shells and pinecones.  

• Underglaze colors – The studio has some on hand but bring if you have some colors you prefer using. • Some small 6 -16oz. yogurt cups for mixing colors 

• Work cloths, towel, sponge 

• Sketchbook and pencils 

• Photos or images to work from 

• Camera 

• Ideas 

• Good energy

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