Joshua with a life-size iguana he sculpted from polymer clay

The Molding
of a Young Mind JANUARY 2001—Meet Joshua Burkhardt, an eleven year-old clay artist and entrepreneur from Florida, USA. Since the age of nine Joshua has been creating some very professional looking clay sculptures for friends and family. His exceptional talent has led him to opening his own business named Joshua's Clay Creations, and he now creates clay sculptures for customer orders in his spare time.

Joshua has been featured in six newspapers and two magazines since December of 1998, and has taught two, four-hour workshops for the adults at the Santa Rosa Art Association. Currently he is in the process of getting his first "How-to Instructional" book printed, to teach those ages 7–70 to learn polymer clay sculpting.

On his Web site you can order from the online catalogue or contact him direct for custom-made requests. His site currently has several free clay projects for beginners, complete with detailed instructions, tips, and techniques for making them. More projects are planned to be added in the near future.

Our special interest in Joshua
We were excited to come across Joshua's site and to read about all of the really cool things that have happened to him since he started working with clay. We are inspired by Joshua's creative talent and his giving spirit and willingness to help others learn. The modesty he's shown towards the attention he's received is something we commend him for.

Our interest in Joshua and his clay creations went beyond adding a link to his site in our directory and awarding him our GCCA. We decided to create a new special feature area on our site to showcase out-of-the-ordinary cases of creativity we come across on the Web.  Congratulations Joshua, you have inspired us to do something extra special for those we find deserving of it!

Joshua with some sculptures he created, including a self-sculpture sitting next to him. (Picture from Fort Walton Beach Daily News, December 2000)

An e-mail interview
with Joshua
January 8, 2001 

Looking back over the last two years, how you feel about all of the exciting things that have happened in your life relating to Joshua's Clay Creations?

It's amazing to see what God has done in my life in the past two years with my talents and all the publicity through newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and workshops.

How many pieces have you created to-date?

I have a book with 379 signed and numbered sculptures listed in it that I have made since December of 1998. I have also made over 150 Christmas ornaments that were not numbered.

What is your favorite piece(s) to make?

My favorite sculptures to make are the custom orders, because each one is different.

What pieces are the easiest to teach others in your workshops?

It is best to teach simple designs to new students. I have taught dinosaurs, sheep, Nativities, clowns and Santa's. 

Joshua's sculpted Zondar

Have you ever had a clay project "disaster" happen while making a sculpture for a customer? If so, what happened?

No, but we've had some pretty weird stuff happen to them
while baking.

Can you create a clay sculpture of my cat if I give you a picture to look at?

Yes.

What are some interesting tips about working with polymer clay that beginners should know?

Start with a simple design, so you don't get discouraged. Use toothpicks to hold pieces together. Roll everything into smooth, round balls before you shape them. Use your imagination and be creative.

I read in one of the newspaper articles that you are working on a "How-to" (make clay sculptures) book. Do you have any idea of when the book will be finished?

We're hoping the book will be finished by mid-Summer.

Beyond writing a book, what other goals or plans do you have for Joshua's Clay Creations?

A video. 

Besides working with clay, what other things do you like to do?

Skateboarding, Biking, Skating, Swimming, Basketball and Skim-boarding at the beach.

Do you get tired of answering interview questions?

Yes. (To-date, Joshua has given 13 interviews in the past 2 years)

Describe yourself in three words.

Blessed by God!

Thanks for granting us an interview, Joshua. We definitely want an autographed copy of that book you are working on when it's all finished!

joshclay.com
Be sure to visit Joshua's Web site to see his gallery and read the articles he's been featured in. You'll learn quite a bit about polymer clay sculpting as well. We guarantee that you'll find the whole experience encouraging and inspiring.