Our first stop was to Lisa Naples' studio. Lisa is a renowned ceramic artist that specializes in both functional and sculptural ceramics. Gloria Kosco and Holli Hollingsworth were guest artists at Lisa’s studio. Each gave a 30-minute demonstration and discussion about how they work in clay and why they work in clay.
Lisa is giving a throwing demonstration on the potter’s wheel. Lisa is a terrific teacher. She had an amazing ability to maintain a dialogue with my students while she is throwing.
Lisa spent time explaining to my students the importance of finding something in life that you truly love to do, and then spending the rest of your life doing just that. In the picture above Lisa is reading an inspirational quote by John Cage to my students.
"When you start working, everybody is in your studio,
the past, your friends, enemies, the art world, and
above all, your own ideas. But as you continue they
start leaving one by one and you're left completely
alone. And if you're lucky, even you leave."
This is one of the many sculptures that are throughout Lisa’s garden.
Our second stop was to the studio of Ken Vavrek. Ken spoke to my students about the creative engineering he has had to develop to create these incredibly complex ceramic wall sculptures. Pictured above, Ken is explaining how he uses a slump mold to begin forming one of his sculptures.
Our third and final stop was to Steve Tobin’s studio. Steve works in clay, glass, and metal. Steve took my students throughout his studio sharing everything, from his monumental size steel sculptures to his modest tea bowls.
You can see in this picture the massive scale of some of Steve’s ceramic sculptures. Some of these pieces were created with more than 4,000 lbs. of clay. To put things into perspective, I told my students that at our school we order 12,000 lbs. of clay expecting it to last an entire school year. To watch a video of how Steve creates these pieces click here.
Here Steve is talking with my students in great detail about some of his recent works and how he is continually looking at nature as a source for inspiration in his work.
This is a very small room filled with ceramic hands. As you walk into the room the hands are touching you all over. Theses hands are an excellent example of the glaze palette that Steve works with.
For more information about the Elephant’s Eye Studio tour please click here.
For more information about Lisa Naples please click here.
For more information about Steve Tobin please click here.
