I’m a visual learner. It’s the best way for me to acquire a new skill, remember it and then begin to practice it. The Internet is a whole new resource for learning this way through video tutorials on any topic you can imagine. My phone and computer are now an integral part of accessing new information. When I teach, demonstrations are always the center of a lesson. Talking and written handouts are important tools to reinforce new lessons, but showing how a technique is accomplished helps it become intuitive for students.
I often demonstrate my own hand-building process at galleries and shows. First, it’s an icebreaker and opens the door for people to engage and learn a little bit about pottery. Non-artists are drawn to see (and touch) and watch how a pot is made. Artists like to ‘talk shop’, observe and swap ideas. In both cases, people walk away with a new appreciation for the clay-making process and a new connection to the artist behind the craft.
This coming week I’ll be demonstrating how I make what I call a ‘split bowl’ through an internet feed called Periscope and in person at The Muse in Frederick, Md. in honor of National Craft Month. I use the split bowl technique as a base for many of my finished pieces. They are fun to make and a great shape to demonstrate.
Click on the Periscope logo above to check out this resource and download the App for yourself! Periscope provides live broadcast streaming and additional viewing for a 24 hour period. Viewers can interact by texting in to the show while it's live. Its a great way to showcase skills and interact with an audience near and far. I will air my first broadcast this Wednesday at 10 am EST. You'll be able to watch how I create a split bowl, ask questions and see my studio.
For those of you living nearby, I'll be at The Muse in downtown Frederick, Md. on Saturday showing the same split bowl process. I'd love to have you stop by, say hello and watch as I create. The Muse will showcase a variety of artists demonstrating their process throughout March in honor of National Craft Month.