One to One tuition at Cardiff Pottery Workshops

wendydiamond20
Oct 20, 2021
1 min read

Last Saturday was my second visit to the Cardiff Pottery Workshops. I am fortunate that I had the same tutor as last time; James Lee. James is a fine potter with a lovely sunny personality and a real gift as a teacher. He must have watched so many like me attempting to throw pots. No matter what my creation on the wheel looks like he always has constructive comment and advice. He’s a real confidence booster. I felt less competent this week. I didn’t think the centering was going well. James gently guided me through the implication of using my hands and finger/s in particular ways and illustrated this by cutting a cross section from one of my pots, which revealed its history.

This morning I took the plunge for the first time since Saturday and threw two passable pots.

James has recently developed his own website and his long term aim is, I think, to sell. His current range includes tableware decorated with velvet underglazes and then dipped in transparent glaze which serves to intensify the colours.

www.mrleepottery.com

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Realising a Dream..

This is me. Setting out on my journey as a hobbyist potter.

Pottery was an ‘add on’ O level course when I was at school, only offered in the sixth form. In to studying Music and RE to A level, I embarked on pottery ‘O’ level as a bit of light relief. I loved it although I was never particularly good at it. I made a few pots, mainly handbuilding using slabbing and coiling but didn’t really learn much.

What I wanted to do more than anything was throw on the wheel – the school did have a wheel but no one was allowed near it unless they knew what they were doing… an interesting approach to the process of acquiring skill methinks. I do have one of my very first pots – rather crude really, but its mine, with my initials ‘scrauped’ on the base. Over the intervening years, of which there were many, I watched the art of throwing from a distance, always hoping that one day it would happen.

We had bought our little cottage in Halifax in 2009. Six years later the adjoining house became available so we set about creating a home by combining the two halves. The ‘under-dwelling’, a feature of a number of houses in that area of West Yorkshire was a real gem; we converted into a pottery studio for me and there began my journey. I enrolled on a course in Springhead. Oldham and my amazingly talented pottery teacher, Sue Devine gave me one-to-one tuition in throwing. I bought a pottery wheel and was given a small kiln. My journey had begun – 40 years later!

Twelve month ago, my partner and I moved to Newport in South Wales. I am most fortunate have a pottery studio here. Why Andante Ceramics? Well, I work slowly, I go with the flow, I create no deadlines for my self. My world of clay is completely self-asbsorbing and tomorrow, if I am fortunate to have one, is another day.

My media pages give a flavour of what I do and my blog documents my thoughts as I journey through the wonderful world of pottery and ceramics. I wont sell any of my work but I delight in making pieces specifically for friends; I love the challenge that creating bespoke pieces bring. If you would like me to make something special do please ask.

Wendy Diamond

One to One tuition at Cardiff Pottery Workshops

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