Image Transfer Workshop

There is an exciting trend to use transferred imagery in ceramics these days, either on its own or in combination with other methods of decoration. I have been exploring methods of image transfer on ceramics for some time and will present my New Image Transfer workshop this Friday, 29^th June from 9:30 -12:30 at The Pottery Studio, 24 Old Kilcullen Road, Bryanston.  I will cover ways of transferring images onto the ceramic surface and this could open avenues for you to explore in your own work.

Methods shown will include a lithographic printing method and a new process using negative imagery with slip and underglaze, which allows you to transfer images in any colour of your choosing, which I think is the most exciting of all!

I will also discuss the making of ceramic decals using laser printing.

The cost of this workshop is R350.00

If you have any queries or wish to attend please contact me at johnshir@gmail.com 

Why Mentorship?

How do we find our voice? I believe it is when we are doing what we truly want to be doing that we discover our ‘voice’ through our work. But there are so many things that block us from doing this. Not trusting ourselves, and also a lack of clarity about what we are making. Worrying about what others think and not seeing things through.

I am now in my third year of running ‘The Mentorship Programme’ and I can honestly say that I am astounded by watching the transformation that occurs in the participants and their work.

The Mentorship programme is not a practical class, but rather an opportunity for discussion, assessment and feedback. By dealing with the blocks we have to experiencing our creativity through simple processes and also by regular critique and debate it is a continual and rewarding joy to observe the confidence and enthusiasm growing in the participants and seeing it reflected in their work.

The Mentorship Programme runs over a period of 6 months and is run as a three hour session once a month. The cost of the programme is R2100.00

The next Mentorship Programme in Johannesburg starts this Friday, 18th May At 9:30 am and there are 2 places available.

For those who cannot get away for the morning sessions I will be running an evening programme starting on Thursday, 31st May at 6:30 pm

If you are interested in participating in either of these please let me know and I will send you a questionnaire and booking details and full dates for the programme by return. You will need to complete the questionnaire before commencing the programme.

If you have any further questions related to the Mentorship Programme do not hesitate to contact me

Workshops Coming Up

I will be presenting, ‘Decorating the Glazed Surface’, this coming Friday, 25th March. The workshop covers numerous ways of working on the fired glaze surface including using on-glazes and lustres as well as applying underglazes employing a variety of masking and application methods. Also covered will be the making of decals that can be carried out without any specialised equipment. You can make your own decals at the workshop and if you wish to use a design of your own please mail me before Wednesday evening and I will tell you what you need to send me, alternatively you can use designs that I will have prepared. Please bring a small glaze fired piece or glazed tile if you wish to apply a decal.

‘Paperplaster; the Mould Making revolution’ will be presented on Friday 15th April. The revolutionary paperplaster method has changed my approach to mould making forever. Introduced to me by Australian ceramist Sandra Black as taught by Trudy Golley of Red Deer College, Alberta, Canada, this is an excellent introduction to basic mould making as well as a great new method for those more experienced in this area. This method uses about 75% less plaster than is usually used for mould making. This workshop is strongly recommended for anyone who has been considering exploring the use of moulds and casting in their practice. I will also be demonstrating and demystifying slip casting.

Both workshops will be presented from 9:30 – 12:30 at The Pottery Studio, 24 Old Kilcullen Road, Bryanston and cost R300.00 each. As space is limited, booking is essential. Please contact me stating which workshop you are interested in attending.

Mentorship Programme and Workshops

Due to demand I will be presenting another Mentorship Programme starting on 4th March. Designed for those who have a ceramic practice and have reached a cross roads with their work. The reasons for participating on this programme are numerous, and yet the aim is clear; to arrive at a solution for whatever problems you are encountering in your work. It could also be looked at as an ongoing journey for the serious ceramist wanting to expand the boundaries of their work and to create their own identity through the medium of ceramics.

The purpose of the programme is to give the participants insight into what they want to be making and also to assist with the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of it.
Critical assessment will play a major role in the programme as will exploration of the motivation informing the work produced.
The programme requires a commitment of 6 months. We will meet once a month for 3 hours and to get the maximum results from the programme it is expected that the participants carry out whatever work is required of them between meetings.
Please be aware that this is not a practical class, but rather an opportunity for discussion, assessment, feedback and debate.
On registration for The Mentorship Programme you will be required to complete a questionnaire which must be submitted before commencing the programme.The dates of the sessions are: 4 March, 1 April,
6 May, 3 June, 1 July and 5 August. The cost of the programme is R1800.00

I will be presenting my most popular workshop, Decorating Techniques – on green and bisque ware, this coming Friday, 18th February. The workshop covers a variety of surface treatments. Among the techniques I will be demonstrating are a numerous resist methods, as well as etching on raw clay, underglaze and majolica painting and also stamping sponging and lining. I will also discuss how to make your own underglaze and majolica colours and ceramic crayons. This is the ideal workshop to open your mind to new processes and get your creativity flowing. Cost R300.00

On Friday 25th February I will be presenting a new workshop, Photographing Your Work. Whether for a portfolio, an exhibition, or simply for record keeping, good photographs are a must for every ceramist. More and more exhibitions and competitions today require digital submissions, and a poor image can lessen your chances of acceptance. With today’s digital cameras, even the most simple, it is easier than ever to create images of n excellent quality. This workshop is designed to improve your images using simple point and shoot cameras. Using SLR cameras is beyond the scope of this workshop. It is specifically for those who are unsure how to go about photographing their work and to provide a better understanding of your camera and how to best show your work to get you started using your camera to better effect. As this is a participating workshop you will need to bring your camera as well as 1 or 2 of your pieces of work that you want to photograph. Cost R300.00

These workshops will be presented from 9:30 – 12:30 at The Pottery Studio, 24 Old Kilcullen Road, Bryanston. As space is limited, booking is essential. Please contact with name and date of the workshop you wish to attend at johnshir@gmail.com also please let me know if you wish to be informed of any workshops I will be running in the future

Workshop Information

This is my programme for the remaining workshops I am presenting this year on Friday mornings from 9:30am – 12:30pm at The Pottery Studio, 24 Old Kilcullen Road, Bryanston.
If you wish to attend any of the workshops listed please book now to secure a place by mailing me: johnshir@gmail.com
These are demonstrating workshops and a large amount of material is covered. I suggest you bring a notebook.

Cost R300.00 per workshop

Decorating Techniques – green and bisque ware: August 6th. This workshop covers a variety of surface treatments which can be carried out on both green ware and bisque-fired ware. Among the techniques covered are a number of resist methods, etching on raw clay, underglaze and majolica, stamping, a new method of tube lining, sponging and banding. You will also be shown how to make your own underglazes, majolica colours and ceramic crayons.

Creating a Professional Image: September 3. Are you doing enough to get your name and your work in the public eye? In this session we will look at various ways of how to go about promoting yourself and your work without outlaying large amounts of money. Also discussed will be the importance of creating your ‘brand’ and where to position yourself in the market.

Paperplaster; the mould making revolution: October 29th. The revolutionary paperplaster method has changed my approach to mould making forever. Introduced to me by Sandra Black as taught by Trudy Golley this is an excellent introduction to basic mould making as well as a great new method for those more experienced in this area. This method uses much less plaster than is usually used for mould making resulting in lighter easier to manage moulds. I will also be demonstrating and doing my best to take the mystery out of slip casting.

Paperplaster

Glazes, everything you wanted to know: November 5. This workshop will focus on all practical aspects of glazing. Glaze application methods will be discussed and demonstrated as well as ways of keeping glazes consistent. Glaze on glaze decoration as well as ways of creating specialised surfaces using a number of techniques will be covered as well as the introduction of line blending, a method that offers you the opportunity to create your own glazes with no technical knowledge.

Image Transfer on Clay: November 12. This workshop will cover ways of transferring images on to your work using a variety of methods. I will cover the making of your own decals using a normal laser printer as well as other methods of surface enhancement using photocopiers and printers, and other transfer methods, including a lithographic process that you can carry out on your own with few materials.

Paperplaster Workshop Tomorrow

Photo courtesy of Marina Muhlberg 

I will be presenting my workshop Paperplaster; the mold making revolution tomorrow at The Pottery Studio in Bryanston. I had always dreaded making molds until I came across this unbelievable way of working with plaster that not only cuts down mold making time but also uses about 75% less plaster than usual. The revolutionary paperplaster method has completely changed my approach to mold making. Introduced to me by Sandra Black as taught by Trudy Golley, this is an excellent introduction to basic mold making as well as a great new method for those more experienced in this area. 

New Courses Workshops and Events

From the beginning of May I will be offering a range of ceramic courses, workshops and events at The Pottery Studio in Bryanston, Johannesburg. Visit my website for details. If you would like further information on any of these please do not hesitate to contact me.