Wheel and Hand Building Workshops in Cork

Darren Cassidy and Robert Lee gave our potters group instruction in hand building (Darren) and wheel throwing (Robert) for one beautiful spring day in West Cork. Robert Lee restored his early 19th century house and turned the cow barn into a pottery studio. Everything was pristine, newly painted, and designed obviously with great care. The views from the studio were far over fields and hills.

Studio

One end of the house with young Miss Lee

Divided into groups to work with the two instructors, I first went into one room with Darren to learn his methods of decoration on two circular tiles of stoneware clay. We followed step by step instructions using tools such as dead ball point pen cartridges (both ends), screw drill bits, sawed off plastic ice cream sundae cups, and much more, both traditional clay tools and ones he has adopted for his use.

After he revealed he was once a graphic designer, it was clear why the tools and supplies were so meticulously assembled for our use. We were blown away by the preparations he had made for our benefit.

We worked without break by our own choice to complete the two tiles to his specs. All the while, we enjoyed his continuous support and friendliness, so that it was great fun despite the frantic pace.

Here is Darren, standing over us and urging us on to greatness. In my eagerness to be efficient, I grabbed my neighbor's tile by mistake and was peppering the center flower with dimples before he could stop me. "Thank you," was his mild admonishment.

Below are some of Darren's slip cast stoneware heads. The slip cast piece is given individual details such as ears, antlers, clothing. After bisque firing he uses underglazes, usually black with only touches of color, to add further detail making each piece unique. 

Darren's heads, and on the right the sample of the large round tile we made in the workshop

Robert Lee

After an abundant lunch made by Robert's partner and her mother, my group went to the wheel room to watch a demonstration of wheel throwing a la Robert Lee.




















Here are some of his nesting bowls. They are porcelain and clear glazed. He taps them gently as they turn on the wheel with a wooden tool, made by a local woodworker, to get their particular look. They are made in three sizes then, after firing, Robert groups them to find the trio that fits together best.

Inside the wheel room

If I could post the video I made (I'm working on it), you would see his process and listen as he exhibits an Irish gift of gab with a distinctive Cork accent. My favorite new pronunciation of kiln - "kill-in."













He preceded the demonstration by saying he would not talk, but was he able? 

A wonderful spirit, he was so full of life and enthusiasm, it was wonderful to watch and listen to him. He made some plates that we squirted shellac onto and wiped for a raised relief effect. These and our tiles made with Darren will be shipped to us, as our potters trip, sadly, is nearly over.