This year for my birthday, my sister gifted me a ceramic course from ClayTalk, which takes place in the very scenic Monsalvat. Monsalvat is a beautiful estate situated in Eltham, which hosts many a wedding during the warmer months. Schools also take art excursions here - as a highschool student I came here for a photography excursion. It also houses the incredible ceramic centre, ClayTalk which offers various ceramic classes in all different skill levels.
I opted for the six week Beginners Wheel Throwing course, taught by the lovely Tania Jeffery; who runs her own studio Jumping Creek Designs in Wonga Park. Classes are intimate, with eight students so that Tania is able to sit with us individually to help us harness our skill set throughout the course.
During the six week course, we learnt step-by-step how to create finished artworks on a wheel. From first preparing clay for wheel throwing, to being able to ‘centre’ it on the wheel, before eventually create limitless shapes which became bowls, plates, platters, cups, pots & vases; classes are well spaced so that there is also time to practice newly learnt skills. Finally, in the last week we get to glaze our works, so that we can use them when we take them home!
Each class ran for two hours, and you would arrange your time to your liking - which gave each student the best opportunity to make the most of their time with the clay & creating at hand.
Photo taken by Tania Jeffery
During the six week period, I found myself becoming (as Tania told us we would!) addicted to the clay - the touch, the creation & the obsession of perfecting you work to the best of your ability. It really is a calming substance, which is somewhat gentle & forgiving - you can recycle almost all your clay over and over. As the weeks passed I would look forward to my Saturday morning clay class which literally spun my stresses away on the spinning wheel. My classmates were all absolutely encouraging, as well as Tania assisting students in moments where we were worried and in doubt (like trying to remove a work off the wheel without leaving finger prints on wet clay haha)!
It’s hard to put in words the satisfaction of finishing a work, from its organic form as a lump of clay. You take this lump of clay and with just your hands & a foot on a pedal, you are able to transform this malleable material into something fine and delicate. Of course, the journey from this raw piece, into a refined piece is one which requires patience and practice - but it also brings you a form of zen which instantly takes over daily stresses of the working week you just experienced.
Upon glazing your pieces & laying your eyes on your finished work, the sense of accomplishment coursing through your veins truly lifts your soul. It truly makes you realise that every single one of us has a gift for creation!
My goal during my six week course was to be able to make a piece for everyone in my family (parents, three siblings and my husband) & I am so proud of myself that I achieved this! Using an array of different glazes, my finished pieces are a mixture of matte, iron oxide & cooler toned colours. An assortment of shallow bowls, side dishes & cups; they’re ready to be used the next time I whip something up in the kitchen!