Pottery is one of the more communal forms of art, due mostly to the large amount of equipment needed.  And even though I have all the equipment I need, I miss working with a group and the stimulus that comes from that.  Plus, I always can use some help in improving skills, especially on the wheel.   I learned from some friends that South Mountain Community College was offering a non-credit class at Desert Vista HS and decided it was time to get our of my own studio for a while.

Turned out to be a good decision. Desert Vista has an awesome studio with lots of wheels and lots of kilns.  In addition, Mark (who in the guise of "Mr. Honig" also teaches the HS classes) was an awesome instructor.  He had lots of energy, and really good throwing skills.  And (as seems typical) a fun bunch of people in the class. 

For the most part, I focussed on tall vases, working on throwing skills so as to not get thin spots or a twist in the body, plus get reasonably thin bottoms.  Overall, I am happy with my progress... but still have a ways to go.  In addition to vases, I also did a bunch of bowls for charity and learned a few new tricks.  First was a way to trim by putting down a thin layer of clay on the wheel -- bowls will just stick!  , I learned about carving on green porcelain, may take more patience than I have, but you can get some neat results.  I also enjoyed using the reduction glazes, you can get some colors and effects that are not possible in an electric kiln, but had problems with applying too thick and having the glazes run and stick to the kiln shelf.   I have a few more bottles that have been bisque fired, but not glazed (next session!), but here are all the pots I finished.  Click through to see pictures and more comments.

If you see something you like, let me know..  I always like to have feed back.   And if don't just like it, but want to have it, just let me know (and the normal friends and family discount will apply).