Hand-forming Clay Vessels

Live from Maine, USA

Explore the nature of clay, and the effects of touch, time, atmosphere, and attention with award-winning artist Siem. He has won accolades as both an artist and art teacher, but has and will always remain a dedicated student of his craft: “I have never let go of the stage in which I learn from my fingertips inward.”

On Saturday, February 6th, 11 am EST, learn with Siem how to take a lump of clay and form your own small vessels using variations of the “pinch” method. “Clay forms me as I form it”. He welcomes a free-form approach, inviting students to discover as they go, letting each piece unfold and tell its own story. While you enjoy a hands-on-learning process with this versatile material, you’ll find that working clay with little but your hands can be a quiet, intimate and powerful process. 

All levels welcome, minimal equipment required. There will be plenty of time to share, get feedback and meet other participants from around the world. 

Joining us from a different time zone? Be sure to convert the time.

What you'll need

• 3 pounds (min) of earthenware, stoneware or porcelain clay. Siem uses Laguna porcelain #15, Standard #266 (both midrange clays), Laguna B-Mix Wood Fire, and StarWorks Star White 10, but any well-hydrated clay will work.
  
  [Please note: This session is focused on working with ceramic clays. You are welcome to work with self hardening clays as the concepts he'll share will apply – but he won't be able to get into specifics due to the difference in how the material behaves.]
  
  

• a small container of water– an old toothbrush.
  
  

• some small botanicals such as pine needles, ferns, stuff sticking up out of your winter gardens, etc. Dry and crumbly is fine. Nothing thicker than 1/8 inch.
  
  

• something that you can comfortably hold in one had that has a lot of texture.
  
  

• Optional: A metal rib, stainless steel spoon and/or smooth stone for finishing the surface.

How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA online on Zoom. You'll receive link and details to join via email a few hours before it begins. We recommend having all the materials ready before the session.

About Siem

Siem isn’t bound by any one medium. Skilled in drawing, printmaking, sculpting, goldsmithing, carpentry, painting, and ceramics, he explores the themes of home, family, and our relationship with nature in his work.  

Siem is fascinated with the natural patterns and forms he finds around him, allowing his work to take shape organically and reveal all of its details, intricacies, and textures over time. For him, creating rarely begins with an idea; there are times when the meaning or story of a piece doesn’t manifest itself until long after it’s complete. He takes great care in the way he carves, polishes and glazes. As a result, his sculptures are strikingly tactile and mesmerizing to the touch. Siem loves to share his knowledge with others looking to explore their world through art. He believes art is a revelatory process – one he hopes continues on in the lives of those who use and find joy in his work.

Visit his artist page to learn about his in-person VAWAA

Sessions are ticketed to support artists, makers and our small team. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, please do reach out. We may have a generous participant who has paid it forward. We would ask that you pay the love forward by sharing online sessions with friend