What do I need to become a potter?

Question

Years ago my uncle used to take me the Richmond Pottery and I fell in love with it. I learned the basics of throwing, glazing, and got pretty good at making bowls, pots, cups, plates, etc....

Anyway, I want to start doing it at home, but I have no idea what I need. Of course I know I need a wheel and all the basic little tools which I remember using-- my question lies more along with what KIND of wheel is best, and most of all, the kiln? Do you HAVE to get a kiln or are there some types of clay that you can bake? I would probably do a lot of hand painting on my pottery.

I've tried researching, but not to much avail. I'd love to find someone I could correspond with to help me get started.

When I went to the pottery when I was younger, I was never schooled on things like types of clays and firing temperatures and stuff. I was only taught the basics of actually throwing the pottery.

Thanks guys!!

Answer 1

Go back to school and take classes about pottery which do involve properties of clay, glazes, design. And take some classes in business administration as well. A lot of potters have teaching jobs because while it's possible to support oneself as a potter its a lot of work and it involves more than just making great things. If you want to live off your pottery only, you will have learn how to run a business successfully, that part may be harder than making the pots...visit art/crafts fairs and talk to potters who exhibit there to get an idea.

Hand-painting without a kiln is not going to do it, people who buy pottery usually want to use them, so you will need food safe glazes, even if you use underglazes you will need a transparent glaze on top of it. There is no substitute for clay which has to be fired in a kiln either.

While it's certainly not required, people who do pottery often have a BFA in ceramics. So you could try to do this. Alternatively go to a ceramics studio and pay to use their facilities to get back into things. Or you could try to get a job there. You could use the facilities, teach people and get some idea of the business part of things.