by Linda Kossmann

This year's pottery workshop will focus on the art of creating miniature landscape scenes.  On Tuesday, July 8 from 7:00-9:00 at Bon Air Library, I will introduce the artistic elements and the Chinese principles of Tao to show how to achieve harmony and balance in a landscape creation.  All are welcome to come to this informative meeting.

On Saturday, July 12, I will be conducting a workshop to make a landscape at Cave Hill Cemetery from 10:00-2:00.  You will need to have come to the meeting Tuesday night or be very familiar with the art of penjing so that you know what you will want to do.  Tuesday, I will talk about suitable material and assign homework for those who will be making a landscape- you will draw your landscape plans to bring with you on Saturday. You will also need to bring the trees, plant material, and a suiban tray, or an alternative to hold the landscape in orser to know the size and proportions of your work.  Of, course we won’t be potting any live material because the clay forms will need to be fired first. But trees, tray, plant material, and clay are working together- without one of these, how can you find the connections?  Also, bring a cooler with lunch because we will be working straight through the 4 hours.

I have to limit the workshop size to 5 people due to the amount of clay and kiln space available.  Only sign up for this workshop if you have material that is appropriate!  However, everyone is welcome to come and kibitz and learn.  Call me at home, to sign up- leave a message and your phone number if I am not there so I can confirm your space.

In August, Earl Ekman will be having a different kind of landscape workshop followed by a meeting on accent plants. Hopefully, these workshops will inspire you to start collecting and training trees that are perfect for the exciting art of penjing!