David’s preferred medium is porcelain as its crisp, white surface is the perfect platform from which to work. Porcelain can also be high-fired to ensure strength and durability of the pieces, and his tableware is both microwave and dishwasher safe.Each piece tells a story, or is created with an underlying theme. “I endeavour to inspire my clients with a sense of serenity and hope from each item, and I encourage them to interpret each story for themselves.”
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. He also conducts regular once-off workshops for the public.
Contact David for more details on his classes
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!
