As I have workshops scheduled and open for registration I will list them here on this page. I’m a bit weird in that I’m not a huge fan of traveling so I only do a limited number of these a year (if any). It is quite possible you will find this page blank during times when there are no classes upcoming anytime soon.
Vessel Chasing Workshop
May 22-24, 2024
at
Urban Metal Studio
in
Mesa, AZ
Using pre-made spun copper vessels this 3-day workshop will explore how to embellish the form with designs and textures created using the technique known as chasing, including an approach variation I’ve been calling “hammer chasing”. In place of traditional pitch we will be using a microcrystalline wax, one commonly used in bronze casting. During the course of the workshop we will also cover the basics of making ones own chasing tools, and participants will have the opportunity to make some if they wish to. We will also cover how to finish a vessel edge by soldering on a wire rim.
This workshop will be technique and information oriented rather than project oriented, meaning very few participants actually finish a piece during the time we have. However, everyone should get lots of information about the processes. Considerable time will be spent practicing the techniques while working on our pieces, but due to the labor intensive nature of chasing you shouldn’t expect to complete a piece in class.
The workshop will be held at Urban Metal Studio out in Mesa, AZ. They recently moved to a new space not all that far from the old one. Though I spent quite a bit of time helping to build out the new space this will be my first time teaching in it and I’m looking forward to it!
This class will be open to all skill levels. Whether you are completely new to working with metal or advanced in your metalsmithing skills you are welcome to sign up. This is the pre-requisite class for the the intermediate/advanced vessel chasing class I teach from time to time.
For more details or to sign up here is a link to the class at Urban Metal Studio’s website.
Patinas on Copper Workshop
May 25-27, 2024
at
Urban Metal Studio
in
Mesa, AZ
This year I decided that one of the workshops I’ll teach is my one on patinas. Here it is! This will be a 3-day class where we will explore a range of patinas that can be achieved on copper. My guess is that many of these will have similar results on brass or bronze, but my personal experience is with copper, so that’s what I’m focusing on.
There will be some buried patinas and boiling immersion patinas, but most will done using heat and applying chemical solutions with a brush. Everyone will get direct, hands on experience, leaving the class with their own “library” of test tiles.
The basic format of the class is that I show how to do a particular patina, then everyone gets to do it. Then I demonstrate another. We’ll cover as many as we can in the time we have. There are also usually bits of downtime here and there where students can do some of their own experimentation if they wish.
In addition to the patinas I’ll also cover the basics of how I do my gold leafing work, and everyone will get to leaf a test tile for themselves.
This workshop is open to all skill levels.
It will be hosted at the Urban Metal Studio out in Mesa, AZ. It’s challenging to find a facility that can handle the exhaust requirements for a full class of students doing patinas. Urban Metal Studio is a fabulous place for this!
For more details or to sign up here is a link to the class at Urban Metal Studio’s website.
Vessel Chasing Workshop
October 4-6, 2024
at
Studio JSD
in
Grand Haven, MI
Using pre-made spun copper vessels this 3-day workshop will explore how to embellish the form with designs and textures created using the technique known as chasing, including an approach variation I’ve been calling “hammer chasing”. In place of traditional pitch we will be using a microcrystalline wax, one commonly used in bronze casting. During the course of the workshop we will also cover the basics of making ones own chasing tools, and participants will have the opportunity to make some if they wish to. We will also cover how to finish a vessel edge by soldering on a wire rim.
This workshop will be technique and information oriented rather than project oriented, meaning very few participants actually finish a piece during the time we have. However, everyone should get lots of information about the processes. Considerable time will be spent practicing the techniques while working on our pieces, but due to the labor intensive nature of chasing you shouldn’t expect to complete a piece in class.
The workshop will be held at Studio JSD in Grand Haven, MI. I’ve been saying for years now that I would be doing another workshop here at some point. Well this year I am finally going to make good on that! It’s a fabulous facility that I’m always happy to teach at. I’m looking forward to returning there!
This class will be open to all skill levels. Whether you are completely new to working with metal or advanced in your metalsmithing skills you are welcome to sign up. This is the pre-requisite class for the the intermediate/advanced vessel chasing class I teach from time to time.
For more details or to sign up here is a link to the class at Studio JSD’s website.
Hi, David! I was thinking about you and how we both were influenced by “ Your Money or Your Life” but you actually made it happen. I worked at GRCC from 2005- 2015, teaching 2-D, Color and Drawing 1. I also took jewelry-making classes from Elizabeth Z. a couple of times and I remember you well. I am in Minneapolis now, still making art, but, at 73, long retired from teaching. I am so happy to have one of your vessels and to see you are doing so well. Sincerely, Abbey Fitzpatrick. Putting my website in, but haven’t updated it in several years.😳
Greetings Abbey,
Great to hear from you! I certainly remember you from our GRCC days as well! Nice to hear you’ve gotten to retire and are still making art.
I certainly feel fortunate to have been turned onto “Your Money or Your Life” early enough in my life to put it into play and see the fruits of it.
Take care!
Wonderful patina class! Thanks 😊
Hey Karen. So glad to meet you in the class! Thanks to you as well for all your insights during the class which helped me figure out why some of the common problems were happening. Future students will benefit from that!
Hope to see you again sometime!
I’m overwhelmed by the beauty and creativity of your work. Unfortunately at this time I don’t have the resources to purchase one of your amazing vessels. I was wondering if you’ve published any books about your work, or have any plans to. Also do you have any DVD type workshops, I don’t drive due to medical issues. I would love to access any information from you as possible. Of course, I would love to own one of your pieces more! Thanks! Rex
Greetings Rex,
Thanks for the kind words. I do appreciate it. While I have my work included in a few books there aren’t any books about my work. At this point I don’t have any plans for this either. Who knows what the future will hold though. So far I haven’t done any instructional videos either. I’ve contemplated doing some focused on patinas but have just never made it happen. The best I can offer in this area are my Odysee and YouTube channels, though there isn’t much on those. For what it’s worth here are links to them:
https://odysee.com/@davidhuang:e
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-2d2Zgq8D_GfwXl7306N2w