2024 EVENTS
WEEKEND CLAY RETREAT
1-2 June 2024
In person workshop here on Tamborine Mountain.
cost: $600
CONTACT LARISSA TO BOOK YOUR PLACE
In the fold presents a playful approach to exploiting commercial and wild clay bodies. With emphasis on creativity and experimentation, we will test a range of locally sourced and commercially mined minerals, rocks, pigments and clays and discover how these can add wonderful new textures and effects to your ceramic ware. Along with building a collection of test pieces, we will explore the surface on a hand built vessel by using wild clay slips, oxides, terra sigillata and burnishing.
The 2 day workshop will include all ceramic materials, supporting digital resources, catered morning tea, lunch and drinks. Participants will take unfired ceramic items home with them. Firing and postage of ceramic works will be an additional cost.
I pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging, recognising connections to Wangerriburra Country, history, culture and spirituality through this location. As an artist, I strive to ensure I walk softly on this earth and that my practice works in a manner that respects and honours the Elders and Ancestors of these lands.
Itinerary
Saturday
9:30am
We begin with a welcome and tour of our location.
Enjoy a warm drink and locally made treats to get ourselves energized and get to know each other.
In the morning session you will learn ..
– to process local clays and slips
– how to discover your own local clay,
– identify different types of clays and minerals
– to create clay test tiles & palettes
– *bring along your own wild clays for problem solving
12:45pm
CATERED LUNCH with drinks and sweets
1:40pm
Afternoon session
– test found clays alongside other found and commercial ceramic materials
– how to interpret fired test tiles. Discuss shrinkage rates.
– create a wood ash & wild clay glaze
– create small wonders, individual consults to discuss personal directions
3pm
Rainforest/local walk, Larissa shares local geological, historical and cultural information
4pm
Finish (head home or to accommodation)
– sneaky walk over to Cauldron Gin distillery for an afternoon drink.
6:30pm
Saturday Dinner option 6:30pm (additional cost)
On Saturday evening we have the opportunity to create a long table and dine together at local El Burro Mexican retsurant. 100%gf, with veg and vegan options.
View the menu here: https://www.elburrocantina.com.au/food-drinks-menu/dinner-menu/
10am Sunday
– morning tea, snack as we go.
A short talk with additional technical information to support the identification of materials in your own locale and add them to your studio practice as clay bodies, slip, glazes and grog. I will discuss my personal experiences with working on country and some of the conversations I’ve had with traditional owners during my research and experiences.
11am – 2:30pm
‘Creative pursuits’
In this session we will revisit our processed clay mixtures and then begin a hand building session using my own special mix of pugged mountain clay. (allocated amount provided to each person) You can choose to build a collaborative or individual piece or collection of works. I can offer a range of support during this session to help you make distinctive art that follows your creative goals.
*If you are a die-hard wheel thrower, you may like to bring your own wheel and set up outside – weather permitting.
1pm
CATERED LUNCH with drinks and sweets
2:30-3pm
Wrap up & pack up
Included- tuition, resources, a variety of local clays (processed and raw), catering with tea and coffee. Dietary needs can be met, including gf and veg. Pls advise and provide as many details as necessary to make you feel at home.
COLOUR HAPPY
Online workshop
Join Larissa for a fun and informative 2.5hr online workshop on Sunday 29th October 2023 at 9am Brisbane, Australia time. UTC+ 10 hours
After the success of my previous sold out workshops: Colour Happy I am now offering new online sessions for 2023.
The 2.5 hour online workshop will include:
– an introduction talk, a tour of Larissa’s studio (a converted underground bunker) and a peak into her lush mountain setting
– a demonstration of how to mix colour into clay (specifically porcelain)
– how to create freestyle nerikomi pattern blocks
– & how to incorporate these pattern slices in both hand built, slab and wheel thrown works.
You will also receive a professionally produced 10 page PDF resource which covers the methods, materials and tools discussed, as well as how to successfully dry and fire your works.
Become a member of the Colour Happy private instagram group so that you can be supported and encouraged by other workshop alumni.
Suitable for beginners and experienced clay folk, I will focus on how colour and pattern can be used to communicate moods and your own unique style. We will explore how to embrace colour in ceramics without the use of glazes, as well as how to make wonderful contrasting/ harmonious combinations or monotone blends.
Larissa, an experienced Art teacher and professional exhibiting artist will discuss her colour inspirations and how these translate into each of her unique ceramic collections. You will find she is an incredibly giving teacher, however; please take the time to review what is being offered in this course. Slipcasting and the combining of stoneware and porcelain clays is not.
The workshop will be hosted by Larissa in her home studio based on Tamborine Mountain in Australia. There will be time for questions during and after the session.
pottery Road – open studio weekend
Saturday 11th- Sunday 12th November 2023
As part of the Australian Ceramics Association- nation-wide event, Pottery Road- Tamborine Mountain and surrounding valley pottery studios will open their doors to the public.
Visit my home studio, (an underground bunker) next to our blue house on a hill.
I will have a range of ceramics available, including coloured porcelain- nerkomi works, wild clay, exhibtion pieces as well as tableware.
Cash on the day is always appreciated and you will give receive an extra 10% discount.
Check out our facebook page for all the updates and offerings.
