The Brush and the Soda Surface

Meet me in Tuscany for this late summer /early Fall workshop! In this 2 week course we will develop an understanding of pattern and how to express ideas with pattern and how those patterns can be made rich in the atmospheric soda kiln.

Through a series of exercises we will explore pattern making with stamps, incising, inlay, as well as the painted pattern with brushwork, wax resists, and flashing slips.

Through repetition we will gain insights and skills that will help develop a personal pattern language.

Pattern is all around us! 

How do we pay tribute to the beauty of nature and its inspiring patterns? How do we translate that beauty into our pottery? In this intensive, two-week workshop we will set out on this quest in the Tuscan countryside and bring its inspiration to our pots!

Techniques taught

At the wheel, we’ll make a variety of functional forms large and small, as well as plates and platters, a natural canvas for a potter.

All the while, we’ll practice brushwork through individual and group painting exercises and so that we can translate those marks onto our pots with resists, underglaze, and flashing slips. To bring a personal touch, we’ll make our own brushes, and learn basic brush techniques using wax resists and flashing slips for the soda kiln, paying special attention to the way patterns can enhance form, and how the finished soda glaze surface can enhance function and food presentation.

Teaching Method

We will seek to recognize the joy in creativity and will gain a better understanding of how the surface and form can come together to make the complete pot full of passion and personality.
We will take the opportunity to let us inspire by the surrounding beauty. A field-trip to the Chianti countryside with wine and tastings is part of the course.
A basic knowledge of throwing or hand-building techniques is required

I’m very excited to present my work alongside Sunshine Cobb at the Functional Ceramics Workshop.

In 1977, Phyllis Blair Clark and the College of Wooster Art Department hosted the “Wooster Workshop,” with artists Ginny and Tom Marsh as demonstrators. A total of 35 students attended. That workshop—and the accompanying exhibition—expanded over the years thanks to Clark’s guidance, eventually becoming the highly regarded “Functional Ceramics Workshop.” In 1987, Clark moved the event to the newly renovated Wayne Center for the Arts. Over 200 artists attended that year. In 2012, she handed the reigns (and the whistle!) over to Ohio Designer Craftsmen. We are honored to continue the tradition of presenting outstanding workshops to a community of potters.

The Seasoned Surface

a workshop led by Kyle Carpenter & Michael Kline

Summer 2022 • Fifth Session • July 17 - 29

During this course, students will explore a full palette of surface designs and how it relates to functional pottery form. We will be stamping, painting, scratching, and scraping stoneware pots, bringing layer upon layer of visual interest to the surface. We will be experimenting with flashing slips, underglaze, and glaze, that will be enhanced in cone 10 soda and salt firings.

A confluence of fresh ideas and technical skills will open a path forward for each student’s creative exploration. The instructors will engage the class in conversation regarding their individual perspectives of studio potter life and practices.

All Levels

Registration for this workshop will be announced by Penland School.

Follow for updates:

Penland School of Craft website

Penland School instagram

Kyle Carpenter website

In this 5 day hands-on workshop we will focus on wheel-thrown pots and the development and the embellishment of the clay surface. Participants will be guided through fun exercises to familiarize themselves with mark-making and the structure of pattern using brushwork, stamping and incising. We will make clay stamps to be used to decorate the surfaces of our pots. Michael will discuss and demonstrate strategies for pattern with brushwork, pigmented wax resist and inlay, and will help students find patterns that are meaningful and appropriate for their forms. This workshop is designed for students with a solid foundation in wheel-throwing.