Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions this year, I decided to make myself a couple of promises. And one promise I made is that I would let my creativity GO and see what I could do.
I’ve taken ceramics classes on and off since I was in high school - taking a class for a few months, then stopping for a few years, then back at it again. On, off, on, off like light switch. I’m not a beginner, but I haven’t had the time to truly advance or to find out what I’m good at. I’ve had some awful teachers, and I’ve had some great teachers. But I’ve never had a constant teacher.
So! Last month I signed up for a weekly ceramics class and it’s been most enjoyable. And, I’m terrible!
First day back at it!
I’m throwing lots of squat shaped pots, not-quite-mugs, and too-small bowls. My aim is to build back the muscle memory of centering the clay, pulling up the sides, and cutting it off the wheel. I’m taking my time relearning these foundational skills, because THIS time, I’m not going to stop. I’m in.
The mediation of a potters wheel is very real. To focus on a one or two pound lump of clay spinning counter-clockwise, using your whole body to center the clay, moving your hands in a specific position to pull the sides up, finding the right tool to shape and finish the piece, is all very focused. And necessary.
I went to class this week and had the first glimmer of what I might be able to do - I used a different clay body that just worked with me. I felt the way it wanted to be centered, how much water to add, how to adjust my hands to pull the sides up to make a shape. It just felt correct. I still made silly shapes that only my mom will like, but all 6 lumps of clay I prepared were turned into something!
The second part of the promise I made to myself this year is that, while I’m going to let my creative and artistic side run freeeeeee, I give myself full permission to be REALLY bad at what I am doing, so long as it brings me creative joy. I’m absolutely a-ok if it’s all crap, because the most important part is that I’m focused on joy and creation. The outcome is just the last part, not the whole part.
So here’s to a year of being terrible and creative. I hope you can find some terrible art to make as well ;)
Cheers!
Heidi