Guess What Ma?
No hands…just kidding.
I Can Still Center
And Throw
Although it did take me forever to select a clay body, wedge, collect my tools, a wheel and finally settle down to attempt to throw something – anything on Monday morning’s visit to the Colorado Potters Guild.
I decided to start with a bowl shape since it is fairly straight forward – and I wanted go easy on myself. No major expectations…just the desire to sit down at the wheel and throw some clay. I messed around with my first bowl for way too long and eventually it slumped into a big gob of gook. But, it felt so good to get back into clay and to just make time to do whatever it is that I wanted – with no pressure.
Did you know that potters use muscles that others might not? I can say this confidently because there are muscles on my back and arms that are sore from my mere 3 hours in the studio after a long absence. My wrists and forearms feel better though after suffering through a bit of carpal tunnel from intensive computer use the past 2 semesters in school. Must be the simple act of using them differently….
I will not likely return to the studio full time, but I do hope to find some balance between life, school and the studio the next couple of years I anticipate that it will take to earn a degree in landscape architecture.
Any tips on achieving and maintaining balance?
Chris
June 9, 2010 at 9:51 am //
Very nice! It is soothing to nurture one’s creativity; I think it’s a very feminine need (since we are creatrix-es, and all
I know the balance comes in figuring out your priorities and sticking to them, something I’m still working on myself! Congrats on making it back to the studio.
Cynthia
June 9, 2010 at 12:43 pm //
I like the term “creatix” ;D Thanks for the comments! I did sort of pick out days of the week where I will visit the studio and I’m the type of person who does follow through once I make a decision. Now if I could only decide to start exercising again….
Undaunted
June 9, 2010 at 10:36 am //
Mmmm yummy! Which clay did you use? It looks delicious! I knew you would still have it in you!
Cynthia
June 9, 2010 at 12:45 pm //
I’m using a cone 10 stoneware clay body – more about that tomorrow. My rhythm is still off and I keep forgetting key tools, but slowly I hope to get back to it.
ang
June 9, 2010 at 5:10 pm //
like riding a bike really…you’ll figure it out a couple of hours a couple of days a week should give you time to create and time to trim up..luck with the balancing act..
Cynthia
June 9, 2010 at 7:42 pm //
Let’s hope so – today all I accomplished was trimming and adding a handle to a mug! Tomorrow – throw again – maybe some hand building. Been dying to try out the electric slab roller.
Judi Tavill
June 9, 2010 at 7:49 pm //
You’re a rock star. But… you know I think that about you.
Cynthia
June 10, 2010 at 2:02 pm //
No – YOU are the rock star!!
LInda Starr
June 9, 2010 at 8:00 pm //
I remember when you mentioned that electric roller, that is really something. I’ll bet your enjoying putting your hands in clay. Maintaining balance: I recommend taking time for day trips, even hour long trips, wish I had taken more time in the past, now I am trying to do more of it at my new location.
Cynthia
June 10, 2010 at 2:03 pm //
Got a refresher tutorial on how to use the electric slab roller without catching my hand in it today – going to try on Sunday or Monday since I have class tomorrow.
Janet
June 11, 2010 at 5:26 am //
Looks like it will be a beautiful bowl.
Lisa
June 12, 2010 at 5:38 am //
Good to see you blogging again. And even better- playing with clay. Woohoo!
Balance – that’s a tricky subject. I think it has a lot about letting got of expectations and “achieving” things.
Cynthia
June 13, 2010 at 7:44 am //
Hey Janet & Lisa!
Lisa – that’s a hard thing to do… “letting go of expectations” but I think you’re right on.
Karen
June 13, 2010 at 7:35 pm //
That’s a great bowl!! I always loved your finished product. Oh yes, Everyone gets burned out from time to time even from a great passion. It’s always good to take a break and get a fresh perspective. I don’t think for those of us who indulge in our creative passions that the urge to create ever goes away permanently. Hope to see more of your stuff… when you are ready. Peace!