Iris, at only 15 years of age, has to decide in which direction her studies will take her: the arts or the sciences.

She came here from Nice for a holiday with a friend, determined to find out whether she has the makings of a potter. At first I was very reluctant to give time for teaching but Iris wasn't easily put off and I finally agreed to take her on board for a week.

Since she had never touched clay before, I got her to start by making some press-mouded pieces. Then she moved to the first of my three wheels, a Seamus Walsh falling momentum wheel, and achieved some respectable cylinders. I was very surprised by how eager she was to progress and how quickly she learned by her mistakes.

After the discipline of throwing cylinders, I thought it would be a good idea to give her some freedom on the Korean wheel. This totally different technique is fun but challenging. She managed very well to beat the clay to an even disc before making her first plate.

Iris took to my electric-powered Shimpo wheel with enthusiasm. She had thrown beakers and straight-sided pieces. Now she was ready to create curved shapes. These closed bottles, which she later cut and decorated, were impressive.

Nothing seemed to defeat her and she used her initiative to solve problems. Trimming came easily, or so it appeared, and she enjoyed cutting the clay, designing patterns as she worked.

Even handling from a clay stump presented little problem. She made two espresso cups for her mother.

Iris has obvious talent - for a student of any age. Compared with many mature ceramic students she showed surprising skill and awareness of her materials. It was an eye-opener for me, a breath of fresh air, to teach someone who has no need to bullshit!

Once the pieces have been glazed and fired, I'll show photographs of the finished pots.

Click on the pics!