blueBanksia art directory lists art short courses and events

by Dr Jan Gardner PhD

I took the coast road and drove from Sydney to the beautiful rainforest property in Newee Creek (near Nambucca Heads). The accommodation was spacious and delightful. The food was fabulous. The hosts were friendly, caring and informative. The pottery was delightful.

When I arrived, I was settled into my colonial style room with expansive rainforest views and then shown around the studio, house and grounds. What a relaxing, scenic and peaceful place to stay. I would have loved it even without the clay. I felt so spoilt, my every need was met.

I spent three wonderful days expanding my pottery skills at the Fired Art Retreat. I had been potting for about 18 months and loved it.  I preferred hand building, especially animals.  Sally asked what I wanted to learn. The answer was easy – I wanted to learn how to make hollow forms that did not collapse as I worked to shape them.  Sally took me back to basics making a variety of forms from pinch pots and coils so she could establish my capabilities.  I hated coils and avoided using them before I met Sally.  She showed me how to quickly make and assemble pinch pots and coils to make strong shapes.

Every day I was taken on a beautiful walk, even along the beach. I was fed nutritious and delicious food. Best of all I spent hours working with clay under the excellent supervision of the talented potter, Sally Hook. During my stay I made a cat and a standing polar bear about 40 cm high. I still like both of them. I learnt new techniques that allowed me to make tall shapes that were self supporting. I learnt how to make a hollow bod that did not develop dents as I worked on it. I learnt simple and effective texture techniques to give my bear some hair. Sally has a great eye for detail and proportions. She could spot where I needed to make slight changes to angles to really improve the final work - 1 millimetre really matters. The days were gone too quickly. I was thrilled to be immersed in clay for hours every day.

I enjoyed seeing the many pieces of Sally’s work in her studio, gallery, home and extensive gardens. I learnt much in a short period of time. Now I love coils, they are my preferred method for creating structures. I continue to use and share the techniques Sally taught me.

I highly recommend the Fired Art Retreat as a powerful learning experience set in beautiful, comfortable and hospitable surroundings. I will never forget how hospitable and caring my hosts were or the beautiful green rolling hills and forests.