Booking for September 2017 have already started.  If you are interested do contact us because spaces are limited.

Course Dates:

Date 10 days in  Sept. 8th to 17th 2017

More images and insights of the experience and place click here:

The Idyll that is Italy       Studio practice 

Some information about Ceramics Firing Workshop Linda Styles 

 

A hands on course amongst like-minded people focusing on alternative kiln building  techniques and the making and decorating of fired clay work that is inspired by the idyllic nature of the Italian landscape and the cultural history of the region.

This intense 10 day course provides an opportunity to focus on the building and use of a variety of outdoor firing techniques (pit, barrel, raku, paper), the making of small scale expressive clay objects in the form of figurative sculpture using the life model as source, pinch pot hollow ware, semi relief plaques and decorative tiles upon which you will be encouraged to experiment with a multitude of surface techniques.

The course is open to all who wish to explore the primal fascination of fire on clay, whatever your level of experience.

Course content overview

Linda will work alongside you in the building and firing of kilns, guiding the interpretation of initial ideas and feelings, offering one to one and group tuition, assessment and feedback, practical demonstrations and workshops in both 2D and 3D and facilitate group seminars, initiate informal debate and lead educational field trips including foraging in the nearby walnut woods and streams, outings to the market towns of Citta di Castello to see the beautiful printing studio, Tipografia Grifani Donati dal 1799 – Città di Castello which is 10 generations old, dating from the 17th century and Monterchi to see Piero della Francesca’s Madonna del parto (pregnant Madonna).  You will be encouraged to use a creative journal, within which you will explore and interpret the colour, tone and texture of your Italian experience. This working process will be based on intuitive response, which will help to access the intangible essence of your clay outcomes, strengthening the potency of your ‘souvenir’ artifacts that hold the memory of this particular time and place.

Background.

Linda’s art practice relates to the exploration of the instinctual and expressive, manifesting in colourful chaos. As an undergraduate In 1995 she was selected for Ceramic Contemporaries 2, held at The Victoria and Albert Museum and was also commissioned by Sir Terence Conran to design an exclusive range of breakfast tableware for the Michelin House Conran Shop. In 1996 she went on to achieve a 1st class [Hon’s] in Studio Ceramics closely followed by PGCE (post 16) teacher training. She maintained an academic profile for many years and gained much experience in both FE and HE sector Art education, her main role being course leader in HND 3D Craft Design, alongside which she project managed unorthodox and independently curated public art events and academic research projects that achieved EEU, Heritage Lottery, CUC and Arts Council funding, alongside her main occupation of creative practitioner.

See more about Linda at

My webpage   Images of my practice and interests   Des Models de Linda ART

Linda has recently exhibited at;

Beside the Wave, Cornwall Crafts.  The New Craftsman  Cornwall, The Stone Wall Gallery Berwickshire,    Oriel y Felin gallery Pembrokeshire, Richard Hagen Fine Art, Worcestershire, The Majlis Gallery Dubai.