Author: Jann French

Factor X—the 4th Bottom Line in Creativity

Tutor: Jann French, BA hons. Workshop Ceramics. 1st Class
This lecture/workshop is about how to get that mysterious something extra into your work that makes it somehow better.
Suitable for students of any creative practice or pursuit whatsoever… to inform and deepen their practice/s (and maybe even their lives). The best creators put this into their work naturally and trained artists usually suss it out. However they may not have thought about it quite this consciously or they may be stuck or blocked. Evening class students who missed out on any formal arts training sometimes find this workshop a bit odd at first but usually thank me the most later. Equally people who just do what they consider to be normal stuff around the house; cooking, woodwork, decorating, sewing, writing letters, etc. get an inspirational shift too.
A bit lecture, a lot of example and some experiential action - all designed to help you grasp what this mystery element is.
Good tea break refreshments provided.
Maximum Students:12

“What?”
I originally devised this class for my once-a-week adult pottery evening class students who were doing great. They were getting to grips with their materials and techniques but needed to stretch for their work to move on. I thought in a direction rarely covered in leisure learning classes.
I put in a huge amount of work to come up with ways to put the topic across and pack it into a class. On the night only 30% of them seemed to enjoy it. I felt deflated and didn’t teach it again. Since then they have all contacted me to say it was actually the best thing I ever taught them, they just didn’t realise it at the time.
So I have dusted off my lesson plan, shined it up and am putting it back out there.
Materials List
Materials and refreshments supplied but please bring: -
Pen and paper to take notes.
A creation, preferably one of yours; a song, a food, painting, pot, woolly hat, anything – as it can be useful to illustrate concepts using your examples.
And if possible or relevant please sent me a couple of examples of your work before the workshop so I can know a little about you.
These items are not essential so don’t let this aspect put you off.

About Jann French
I am a maker of ceramics, footwear, art, sculpture, baskets, books, raw food, woollies, other stuff and round things. My degree is in ceramics. I have worked as a film editor, potter, sculptor, carpenter, teacher, decorator, cleaner, SCUBA instructor, events organiser, arts administrator, manager and book-keeper. I volunteer on committees, at co-ops, music festivals and organic farms. Born in England, now an Australian citizen. I've also lived in South Africa and studied in Israel.
I trained in art from my earliest school days. I can paint and draw but prefer working in 3-dimensions. Traditional trades and crafts really blow my hair back. I swoon at things well-made hand-made because I think they radiate more charm, heart, strength, usefulness, quality, depth, beauty, individuality etc. And essentially I find handmade things much more enjoyable and comfortable to live with.
Workshops and Private Lessons
I am available for private teaching, tutoring or coaching in pottery, sculpture, art, kiln firing, basket weaving, bookbinding and knitting. .
I teach workshops on a variety of art and craft skills throughout the year. My services, workshops and lectures are available for hire by companies, schools and organisations as well as individuals.