Introducing David Hoff

	I feel extremely fortunate. I have a career that I absolutely love. Because of ceramics, I have friends from all over the world and have a following that allows and encourages me to be creative and daring with ceramic techniques. I have been privileged to work with many of the finest ceramic instructors in our industry and I can call many of these educators friends as well as family.    I started ceramics as a youngster while visiting my grandparents in Hayward, California. My grandparents lived close to a wonderful shop that included children’s classes. To be sure, I was indeed a pest; I asked so many questions! Nevertheless, the owners did not throw me out; they taught me well. This ceramic hobby is addictive and I was hooked.    After graduating from California State University at Chico with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics, I was off to set the business world on fire. However, a desk job just wasn’t for me. I began teaching ceramics in my basement; and needless to say, the regular job soon fell by the wayside.    From the basement studio, my ceramic career blossomed and flourished. In just a few short years my students and I outgrew the basement. The studio expanded to a storefront location and became a distributorship for Mayco and Duncan Products. My business partner, Howard Thomsen, and I were soon operating four studios. In 1980 the first Seminar of the Decade was held and has been a teaching classic ever since. In 1982 we introduced the first Ceramic Seminar Cruise (for more information about these seminars, see the Events section of this web site). The David Hoff Sable Brush Line was developed and today sets the standard for excellent quality brushwork. These brushes are manufactured in the United States, are sold throughout the world, and have been used by some of the finest ceramic artists in the world.    My direction became more and more focused on teaching. Starting in 1980, my career became teaching and developing educational programs for the ceramic hobby industry. The studios were sold. I began to crisscross the United States and Canada with specialized classes in Airbrushing and Brushwork. Within a year or two the world beckoned, and I began travels throughout Australia, England, Scotland, China, Mexico, and other countries.    As my love of teaching grew, Duncan Ceramic Products called to ask if I wanted to participate in their educational program. Cleo Curtis had retired and they wanted a new personality to head up their educational program. I joined the Duncan team in 1983 as Educational Consultant. This endeavor, among other things, included writing the Seminar Program, doing videos for Duncan, and helping to develop the Stoneware Program. I enjoyed that position for 17 years; however, in the year 2000, it was time to move on    Currently I am working on my own seminars to teach throughout the world and am writing articles for national magazines. I am educational consultant to the Color Me Mine Contemporary Studios. Additionally, I am in the process of writing two new books, one about airbrushing (to replace the one published in 1982 which is out of print), and another one on the aspects of teaching brushwork.    My love of ceramics has never diminished; my desire to teach is never ending. It is my hope you will enjoy this site. Maybe soon we will meet in a class, at Reno, on a cruise, or maybe at a ceramic show. Please feel free to leave a message, and add your e-mail address so we may send you current class listings and information regarding other events. Thanks for dropping by,