Four years ago, in September of 2002, I began my adventures with
pottery. My guide was, and still is, Joey Jablonski. Joey runs her own
studio in Ashford, CT called Funkware Pottery (see www.funkwarepottery.
com). She has been an incredible mentor for me and continues to guide
all of her students with tremendous skill and patience.
With no exaggeration, creating pottery on the wheel has changed my life.
There are so many parallels between life and the wheel, from creation to
destruction. There are many lessons I’ve learned while crouched in front
of that spinning ball of mud that have played such strong roles in my
decisions outside of the studio.
When I first started 2 years ago, I was wound so tight, I could have been
the wheel! I needed an outlet! I used the high levels of concentration
required to center the clay as a way to refocus my thoughts. I used the
opposing centripetal force of clay against my hands to push out my own
negative energies. I began to see my troubles work their way out like the
uneven knots of the clay moving through the center to find equilibrium.
Only when the clay reaches equilibrium, can it be used to create
something wonderful.
Once the clay is centered, it is ready to be molded on the wheel. There
are many more lessons with this task;
I had to learn to pace myself and take manageable strides to meet my
goals. If you take too long, the clay will become too wet and collapse. If
you move through it too fast, you will create unevenness. If you take on
too many projects, you’ll loose site of your focus and disrupt your pieces.
I had to learn acceptance. If you persist on making it exactly the way you
want it to be, you will always end up dissatisfied. Finding acceptance for a
piece that is not perfect leads to greater satisfaction of the end product.
Accepting the strengths and weaknesses in a piece allows you to see it’s
true value.
Just like our lives have many routes, with one true meaning, your clay has
many possibilities. There are times in creation where, regardless of your
wishes, it may turn out to be something totally odd to your vision.
Supporting it’s true form when it is moving away from what you’ve envision,
can have some very surprising and pleasing results.
Once your piece is created, cleaned, and fired, it is time to glaze. Glazing
can be as unpredictable as creating and must be met with the same level
of acceptance. You must have an open mind to whatever comes from the
kiln in order to see its beauty.
Once you gain confidence in your skill, you may want to begin making
pieces for friends and family. This gives you an opportunity to think about
the positive influence this person or persons have had on you and your
life throughout the creation. It can be an incredible boost to a relationship
when you take the time to focus on the positive feelings you have. When
you take time to reminisce on precious moments or exciting adventures,
you realize the value the person has in your life and this appreciation can
further strengthen the bond.
pottery. My guide was, and still is, Joey Jablonski. Joey runs her own
studio in Ashford, CT called Funkware Pottery (see www.funkwarepottery.
com). She has been an incredible mentor for me and continues to guide
all of her students with tremendous skill and patience.
With no exaggeration, creating pottery on the wheel has changed my life.
There are so many parallels between life and the wheel, from creation to
destruction. There are many lessons I’ve learned while crouched in front
of that spinning ball of mud that have played such strong roles in my
decisions outside of the studio.
When I first started 2 years ago, I was wound so tight, I could have been
the wheel! I needed an outlet! I used the high levels of concentration
required to center the clay as a way to refocus my thoughts. I used the
opposing centripetal force of clay against my hands to push out my own
negative energies. I began to see my troubles work their way out like the
uneven knots of the clay moving through the center to find equilibrium.
Only when the clay reaches equilibrium, can it be used to create
something wonderful.
Once the clay is centered, it is ready to be molded on the wheel. There
are many more lessons with this task;
I had to learn to pace myself and take manageable strides to meet my
goals. If you take too long, the clay will become too wet and collapse. If
you move through it too fast, you will create unevenness. If you take on
too many projects, you’ll loose site of your focus and disrupt your pieces.
I had to learn acceptance. If you persist on making it exactly the way you
want it to be, you will always end up dissatisfied. Finding acceptance for a
piece that is not perfect leads to greater satisfaction of the end product.
Accepting the strengths and weaknesses in a piece allows you to see it’s
true value.
Just like our lives have many routes, with one true meaning, your clay has
many possibilities. There are times in creation where, regardless of your
wishes, it may turn out to be something totally odd to your vision.
Supporting it’s true form when it is moving away from what you’ve envision,
can have some very surprising and pleasing results.
Once your piece is created, cleaned, and fired, it is time to glaze. Glazing
can be as unpredictable as creating and must be met with the same level
of acceptance. You must have an open mind to whatever comes from the
kiln in order to see its beauty.
Once you gain confidence in your skill, you may want to begin making
pieces for friends and family. This gives you an opportunity to think about
the positive influence this person or persons have had on you and your
life throughout the creation. It can be an incredible boost to a relationship
when you take the time to focus on the positive feelings you have. When
you take time to reminisce on precious moments or exciting adventures,
you realize the value the person has in your life and this appreciation can
further strengthen the bond.
| THE BEGINNING OF AN ADVENTURE... |
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