Click Here
to read Professional Review, Clay Times,
January 2008
Clayart post
Subject: Tom Turner is
magnificent!
Thanks, Mel, for alerting us to the
excellence of Tom
Turner's new video. You're right.
Absolutely blows you
away.
Tom's title is A Two Day Workshop. It's on
four discs
and lasts, as I recall, about six hours.
It's several times
that for me since I keep rewinding to watch
something
fascinating more than once.
I'd never seen his work before, which is
incredible!
Attention to Detail could just as well have
been the
title; it's clearly a sub-theme
I'm so glad that I entered pottery at a time
when so much
is available to the studio potter, at home
yet!, in the form
of pubs and videos. This one is top notch!!
Thank you, Tom..... and Mel.
Joyce from
California
|
Professional
Review:
Ceramics Monthly - March
2007
Tom Turner�a workshop on DVD
It�s not everyday we see an person with over 40 years of
experience sit down and let it all flow. But in this 6
hour presentation Tom Turner shares his wealth of
knowledge in exacting detail and covers every aspect of
the potters� art. Because he speaks so well (no ums, ers
or ya�knows) he is fully understandable and easy to
listen to. He has complete thoughts expressed in
complete sentences within full paragraphs - yet truly
extemporaneous. The material is dense in some places so
you may need to take notes. It seems he has never
forgotten anything he has learned or from whom he
learned it. As he gives credit where it is due, he
weaves a nice little history of much of American
ceramics and studio pottery.
If it is technical information you seek, here it is. But
Turner spends just as much time on meaning as he does
method and the entire DVD is richly illustrated with
examples of work in progress as well as completed
pieces, these last his personal collection of the past
four decades.
To say Turner is thoroughly in command of his processes
and materials is no exaggeration. His motto might be
tighten up america, but he is quick to point out his way
is just that and not necessarily suited to others. What
any viewer can extrapolate, however, is that there is no
detail in pottery that can�t provide a payoff. For
example, he polishes his lids in order to secure the fit
AND improve the audible tone when they sit.
Understandable, complete and worth seeing repeatedly if
you want to extract it all.
---Don Pilcher
Mr. Pilcher is a
retired professor or Ceramic Art at the University of
Illinois
Ceramics Monthly - March 2007
Other
Reviews:
Tom,
Thank you for creating a video that is truly the next
best thing to being at the workshop itself. The
production quality is outstanding. The video and sound
are exceptionally clear and one can�t help but feel as
though �you are in the room�.
Your relaxed laid back style of presentation and method
of working is a pleasure to watch. Your love and
knowledge of porcelain clearly shows in everything you
create and discuss in the workshop. I can�t comprehend
how you can remember so many details when answering
questions. Your expertise is unmistakable.
The last disc which spotlights your favorite pots is the
perfect signature for the workshop. I have admired your
work for many years and would have to describe it as
simply exquisite. Your pots as with all art will affect
everyone differently. For myself they show the purity
and a certain sensual smoothness which porcelain best
portrays. I immediately want to touch them.
As someone living somewhat isolated and who is almost
completely self taught through books, workshops, videos,
and simply having a love for clay, this production is
the perfect learning tool for me. I�m sure I�ll watch it
repeatedly and the next time I�m taking notes. Thanks
again.
Bill Miller
Charlestown , Oh.
Hi Tom,
Well I finally got the DVDs and I am really impressed
with them. Not only did I learn a lot, I also feel like
I know you. It was great to hear someone going through
the same frustrating, time running out dilemma that I
have been feeling. But the filming and the editing were
very well done. I wish I could have heard more of the
participant�s comments, which is my only complaint. You
are without a doubt one of the nicest most informing
people I have ever known, you are a great teacher. I
have several videos and DVDs and I can guarantee you I
will go back to yours several times. Being a teacher
myself I can�t wait to share these with some of my adult
students.
Bye for now and thanks again.
Bertine Milnes
Claresholm, Alberta, Canada
Tom,
What a pleasure it has been to watch your DVDs!!! And to
watch you and see the total familiarity of the porcelain
inspires, and I enjoyed seeing the attention to detail.
I can easily see that the attention to detail is tedious
and time consuming. You make it look so easy. You are
very good at explaining the processes in your DVDs. I
was totally lost whenever you talked about glazes and
formulas, but still, I could tell that you were very
clear to the participants at the workshop. I plan to
watch these videos over and over trying to absorb the
many techniques that you use while throwing and
perfecting your pots. I think the best thing I could say
to sum it up is that I want more.
Thank you, Katrina Thiebaut
Indiana
Tom Turner's DVD set is something you should get for
yourself, your potter's group, or for your school. This
professionally filmed and edited four disc set covers a
wide range of topics and lasts almost six hours. Tom
demonstrates throwing, trimming, decorating, assembled
pots, and talks about glazing and firing techniques.
There is information for beginners, intermediate and
advanced potters. I particularly enjoyed the throwing
and assembly of a tea pot, or spouted vessel, as Tom
calls them. You will also enjoy the slide show at the
end of disc four showing 34 pots from his collection
that span 1970-2004. So watch. listen, and learn from
someone who really knows what he's doing.
Steve Casagranda
Beaverton, Oregon
"The
DVDs arrived safely
...They are simply magnificent. The information is so
concentrated that I have watched each one numerous times
and know there is still MUCH to be learned. I am
delighted to be trying all the things you talked about
with every spare minute I have. Thanks so much for
offering such a remarkable learning experience. I have
most of the clay throwing videos made in the U.S., and
your 4-DVD package is the very best. I especially
enjoyed the thoroughness of your answers to participant
questions".
Bless you for deciding to share your years of learning
with students on a one-to-one basis.
Ginny from
Virginia
I received the DVDs and am
about to watch them for a third time. They are
wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.
Ellen from New York state
Review of Tom Turner�s new DVD series:
Invite a highly respected potter into your classroom!!!
Expose your students to 44 years of experience through
viewing a Tom Turner workshop. Turner�s new DVD series
is an engaging resource for students wishing to explore
ceramics in-depth. The four disk DVD set documents a
workshop where Turner shares his knowledge and
experience in ceramics. It is fascinating to watch Tom
go through the steps of making his masterpieces, and
gain insight into his artistic thought processes. Tom
discusses and demonstrates correlation of decoration and
design, throwing and trimming, lids, teapots, handles,
wedging, as well as many more techniques. The last disc
includes a portfolio showcasing Turner�s work from 1970
� 2004. Beginning art students to seasoned art teachers
will glean information that is simply not available any
other way.
The DVD set is available from Turner�s website:
www.tomturnerporcelain.com, or by calling 828-689-9430.
They are $97.30 including priority mail and insurance.
Reviewed by:
Julie Johnson
Art Teacher
Libertyville High School
Libertyville, Illinois
Stefanie Dahlstrom
Art Teacher
Vernon Hills High School
Vernon Hills, Illinois
|
