We should all have one creative outlet. One thing we do that
makes the world disappear. I’m fortunate I have several pursuits that keep me
occupied. My most favourite is pottery. I was introduced to it years ago in
Welkom (:-o where I grew up!) as an early anxst ridden teen. Over the years I have stopped and started but
more recently started working on the wheel.
I love clay. It can be the most gentle refection of where I
am and how to get me back to centre again.
The studio where I work is in my opinion the most tranquil and
relaxing creative space in my world. It is a place
of peace for me. Often times cool and quite but can also buzz with activity and
creative energy.
I find my peace here.
I learn my life lessons from a humble hunk of clay that
sometimes refuses to do what I would like it to do. Some days everything just
flows, I am merely the channel, the vehicle for something Greater to create beautiful things.
There are three stages and two firings...so, the item can at
any of these stages break and be discarded.
First to throw the clay and form the inside shape of the pot.
Quite important when you think its what is on our inside that really matters
the most, defines what it is and where it will be utilised for its lifespan. The
trick is to get the clay centred. Critical, if it’s not centred its very
difficult to work with thereafter. Forming the inside you need to leave enough
clay at the bottom of the pot to be able to work with later. The inside needs
to be smooth and even all the way around and a good curve.
Leave to get leather hard and strong enough to “Turn”
Turning involves cutting away at the outside clay to give
the pot a foot and match the outside shape as best as possible to the inside
shape. Once again, it needs to be centred - or as centred as is possible. Patience is a virtue I hit my head on constantly. But it really must be centred and stable. Then layer after layer of clay is shaved off until you have a desired vessel.
Fire in kiln.
Then Glasing! The outside colour that seals and completes the pot. I have learnt to release myself
from the outcome at this point. I have never successfully managed to replicate
a glasing or effect exactly. Expectation = Disappointment. So now I let whatever
happens, happen. Mostly I think each of my pots are the most beautiful I have
ever made. Sometimes I don’t like the result and keep it in my kitchen, looking
at it in different spaces and invariably someone comes along and matches my
bowl perfectly. We are all unique and beautiful in our own way. Some of us
striking from the moment we walk in the door. Some of us sit quietly and let
their true beauty shine through to be appreciated in a gentle manner.
