Classes
“I really enjoy sharing my passion for ceramics with others. It is always rewarding to meet new people and I love helping them to discover and nurture their individual creativity.”
David offers weekly non-formal classes for adults at his home studio. Because there is so much to learn about manipulating clay, and creating new forms - from slab-building to coiling and wheel-work, David focuses on long-term classes instead of once-off day classes. Many of his students have been participating in classes for several years. They continue to grow their knowledge and skill every week.
Pottery is a creative, therapeutic, and rewarding skill. Learn how to throw, hand-build, and coil in a fun, relaxed, and inspirational space.
Based in Port Elizabeth, David's studio is an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city.
If you've always wanted to learn pottery, or are just looking for a new creative outlet, ceramics is a skill that you can learn from age three to ninety-three (and up!)
Contact David for more details on his pottery and ceramics classes in Port Elizabeth
Raku evening
Tips
- The most important thing to remember about working in clay is that it’s a long process – not a “quick fix” to being creative.
- It’s all about the journey. The end piece must not just be a product, it must remind one of the entire journey.
- Don’t compare your piece or your progress to anyone else’s. You were made to be creative – the skill is just a little more buried in some.
- Before you are confident in your skills, create with purpose (know what you want to make) or you may give up all together. When you are more confident in your abilities, you can experiment with spontaneous works
- Don’t be governed by rules made by others. Try. Make mistakes. Edison once said that before he was successful in creating the light bulb, he found 2000 ways how not to make one.
- Don’t start with pre-conceived ideas that you are not creative or “can’t do it”. Don’t out-psych yourself, just let the ideas flow.
- Research and find inspiration and ideas. Look at the environment; walk along the beach, look at shells, be inspired by nature. Be aware of shape and form. Browse through magazines, books and the internet.
- Make sure that you have a space to work that is peaceful and uncluttered. Don’t be pre-occupied or stressed as this will adversely affect your creativity.
- Working with clay is about “feel.” Feel the clay. Feel the texture in your fingers. Learning to work with clay is about learning to feel. It teaches you to “see” with your fingers.
- And last but not least, ENJOY it!