What is Reddit's opinion of Finding One's Way With Clay: Pinched Pottery and the Color of Clay?

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Pleasure. The book is great too :) (out of print: so libraries, pottery friends and ebay may be useful sources. )

Finding One's Way With Clay: Pinched Pottery and the Color of Clay https://www.amazon.com/dp/0671213245/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_FZT1F1RC068BAXFHW7BH

The food safety/silicosis thing does often get out of hand. In all honesty, what people are eating/lack of exercise has probably got a lot more to do with ill health than anything in ceramics ever could. Because you’re aware, and doing the right thing, you’re safe. It's when people ignore health and safety or somehow think that they're bulletproof that it's a problem.

One of the best things I’ve found to do is to have routine. After every making session, you clean up as if someone else is using the space with a different colored clay. When mixing glazes, you absolutely do need to have an appropriate mask.
If you want an in depth of studio safety, this .pdf from a retired ceramics professor is great:
https://vincepitelka.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Clay-Studio-Safety.pdf
as are all his handouts:
https://www.vincepitelka.com/handoutsinformation/
This is why we're all - go do a class somewhere! So then, they teach you this stuff. When it comes to silicosis, mops and sponges totally save lives. Use them on the regular :)
It does sound like you're really stressed, and given we're in the middle of a pandemic - understandable. Highly recommend you check out Paulus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92YYT9sYZi0

If you can track down a copy of his book "Finding Ones Way With Clay"
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Ones-Way-Clay-Pinched/dp/0671213245
It's a lovely simply way to get your chill on, flow wise.

there's a book: "finding one's way with clay" that is pretty much the bible for pinch pot making, but with standard firing clay and firing without a kiln by doing sawdust firing. it's out of print, but worth trying to track down on ebay/second hand sources/libraries:
https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Ones-Way-Clay-Pinched/dp/0671213245

you haven't spoken about the end use of these bowls. I suggest you keep them as simple ornamental/non functional use eg: you use paints, not glazes or slip, because you won't be firing, and you're using air dry clay. these are not bowls for eating/drinking out of, because the non firing clay/paints that you're using are toxic and not intended for food safety.

info for beginners if you do want to use normal clay/do further research: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ceramics/comments/jsgdj7/advice\_for\_beginners\_an\_ongoing\_thread\_in\_the/

It's just a matter of doing the research and finding somewhere that suits. Local colleges are great- even if you're not keen on university courses full time, summer school offerings might be more your bag.
There's a ton of stuff happening online - one of the places to find out about that is the studiopotter calendar: https://studiopotter.org/calendar

In terms of travel, I reckon penland might be appropriate for you because it's very much about learning, but outside of the standard school system:
https://penland.org/

When he was alive, Paulus was a major part of the school:
https://penland.org/blog/paulus-berensohn/#sthash.6bNU9YNW.ZLlF4ZVQ.dpbs

You might like to check out Paulus Berensohn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92YYT9sYZi0

"finding ones way with clay" https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Ones-Way-Clay-Pinched/dp/0671213245
and track down the book - you should be able to get it via the californian library system or ebay/whatever in yr area.

Sonoma Community Center is in california, and they're great - I've done a couple of online lessons with them, and highly recommend: https://sonomacommunitycenter.org/

In advice for beginners - there's a bunch of books there - they all have pretty extensive resource sections with places to learn etc.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ceramics/comments/jsgdj7/advice\_for\_beginners\_an\_ongoing\_thread\_in\_the/

There's also the following online resources for learning:
"The “Field Guide for Ceramic Artisans” is a website of information and resources developed to aid students as they exit school or to help those venturing into the ceramic field."
http://ceramicsfieldguide.org/

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Vince Pitelka - retired professor + handouts:
https://www.vincepitelka.com/handoutsinformation/

Glazy.org + digitalfire.org = online resources re: glazing/glazes etc.
See also the r/pottery faq for glazing basics and other guff:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Pottery/comments/mzo4ls/frequently_asked_questions/

The tales of a red clay rambler podcast in particular has done episodes on residencies and places outside of universities where you can learn, and it's a great listen just to find out about various potters too.
https://www.talesofaredclayrambler.com/

Re: age - basically it's a case of f*ck that sh*t. If someone has a problem with your age, that's exactly what it is - their problem, not yours. I have every faith that if ceramics is something that you really want to do, you'll find your people.

You might like the podcast with pippin drysdale - she's a bit of a gem:
https://thepotterscast.com/332

hope that helps :)