On 3/3-4/2006 I did a workshop with Tony Clennell sponsored by Gay and Jim Judson. It was wonderful and I just gotta tell you’ll how amazing Tony’s workshop was. I actually came to the workshop because I wanted to learn how to make cane handles. Along with the hands on handle making session I anticipated the standard workshop format where you watch someone throw for two days. What I found was this, but so much more. So on my three and a half hour drive back to San Angelo I had plenty of time to think about what made Tony’s workshop so incredible and likely the best I’ve been to.
It wasn’t just that Tony has such an ability to teach, because I have been to other workshops with great presenters. It wasn’t his incredible energy although he demoed enough to fill a considerably large kiln and then some. It’s not even that I suspect Tony of being one of those build a better mouse trap guys…you know the ones you can show the mouse trap to and they miraculously improve on it?
What I’ve settled on it being is that it’s not only Tony’s ability to draw on and communicate his thirty plus years of experience in clay, it’s his willingness to share it. So, this weekend, I not only watched Tony pull a handle from a cup, I learned exactly how he positions his hands; that pulling in a certain way will make the edges too sharp and why I would not want that; why its important to hold the cup directly in front versus to the side; and why one should stand during the process. And that’s not even all. I learned what he’s figured out to be the best handle placement, surprisingly upside down (remember I did say he was one of those build a better mouse trap guys.)
But, continuing to think on this more, it even goes beyond his willingness to share. I watched Tony assess the needs of our group and then deliver. Oh, you want to see a gallery for a lid? There you go. You don’t know how to roll out a coil of clay without it drying out on the board? Let me show you that. And he kept this coming for the entire time. As I learned things like the difference between a European and a Japanese foot and why one would want to use each, incredible pots started filling the spaces on the tables. And Tony’s demo on throwing in sections would help anyone to throw larger.
During the weekend I learned so much more than I expected. And as a result of requesting Tony’s feedback on my teapots, I gained info on how to improve them. So, let me conclude not by telling you that this was the best workshop I have ever been to. It was the most important. And if any of you ever get a chance to go to a Tony Clennell workshop, go! You will be light years ahead of yourself for it.
You can visit Tony and Sheila Clennell’s website at SourCherryPottery.com
It was also great fun spending time with Jim Bob Salazar and meeting Gay, Jim, Kevin Nancy and Susan. I am looking forward to my Tony Clennell Teapot to arrive in the mail.
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