Spring workshop overview

On May 8th, 8 eager students joined me for 5 days of chasing and repoussé instruction at the Tacoma Metal Arts Center. There were students with varying skill sets ranging from not even knowing what chasing and repoussé is exactly, to pretty well advanced, and everything in between. The one thing everyone had in common is they were all eager to learn, and have a good time.

Everyone was greeted with pitchbowls, chasing tools, 3 weights of my chasing hammers to use.

On the first day of class, everyone was given a skill assessment exercise to determine what project would be best suited for them. While most fell into the beginner/novice catagory, Douglas Pryor was already pretty advanced, and well ahead of the rest of the class.

In a lot of my work I only chase from the front, creating relief without ever touching the back of a piece. So for most of my students they were assigned to make a simple celtic knot while never touching the back, while Douglas was assigned an andvanced study of a simple scroll design.

If you've never attended a chasing and repoussé workshop before, it sounds a lot like you'd expect santas worksop to sound like with a bunch of happy tapping going on.

John Barba working on his celtic knot

Douglas Pryor and his scroll design.

There was some pretty bad habits to break, but by day 3 everyone had their hammers whipping, and to much improved tool control.

Ruthie Cohen telling everyone about her newly found tool tool and hammer control.

Next was on to the traditional western technique of chasing and repoussé with an emphasis on finish from the front. 7 students worked on a fluer de lis design while Douglas moved on to a more complex design.