Fall Into Place

The transition from summer to fall officially began this past weekend and the cool rainy weather in our ‘neck of the woods’ underscored that changeover. Pumpkin-inspired everything has been evident everywhere in the build-up to the season, so it’s not a surprise that fall is actually here; I welcome the change of seasons, but also mourn the loss of the preceding time of year. 

Pottery is a messy business every step of the way!

My studio has been in fall and winter preparation for weeks. I have self-imposed deadlines to create the pieces I plan to make and sell for the upcoming holiday season. Part of this busy pressure is an attempt to space out the timing of clay production so it doesn’t all crunch together the week before a scheduled show or target date. I am ahead of schedule, but for some reason I’m still experiencing the pressure. 

Exploring new shapes always helps balance the repetition of making familiar shapes. Im testing out these new vase forms in the studio.

I think stress is built into the nature of creating pottery. It is an art form requiring attention throughout a long making process. Each step has it’s own pitfalls. Experience helps me avoid these common clay hazards, but from start to finish (at least a two week process), there are many stages where things can go wrong. That contributes to the pressure build-up in making art out of clay. 

Luckily, my years of clay-making have also taught me in the end that everything tends to fall into place. Planning ahead, sticking to a routine, brushing off the failures, and embracing the process all help me achieve my goals. Then it’s on to the next one!

The Company You Keep

I was reminded this week that I am surrounded by incredibly talented people in my life. Each of them holds a unique gift that not only makes them super special but intersect with my own creative pursuits. All of these people have showed up in my circle of friendship at an opportune time. Let me tell you about them:

Mike Taylor and I met back at Gunston Junior High School. We lost touch after high school and reconnected at a few reunion celebrations. Mike is a director and producer of a whole range of audio-visual pieces from commercials to films. His company is called Potomac Pictures. He just finished production of a short promotional video of ClayByLaura for me. It not only captures the process I use for creating but visually highlights my studio and finished pieces. Want one of these for your business promotion? Click on this photo or link to contact Mike and sort out the details!

Margaret Hluch and I met through our mutual connection to The Muse. Her studio/work-space is where I've taught (and taken) a few Crafting Parties in Frederick, Md. Margaret just opened a show of her colorful and intricate weavings at The Muse this past weekend. “Back to Old Tricks” describes her return to this fiber art form she has mastered so well.  Not only does Margaret painstakingly paint the threads to begin the process, the weaving and composition take hours and hours of dedicated talent. Plan a trip to Frederick, Md. for the opportunity to see these colorful weavings in person. It is worth the trip! Luckily, I nabbed one of her pieces to grace the walls of my studio. Click on this photo to read a recent interview with Margaret.

Whitney Dahlberg is the owner and inspiration behind The Muse. I frequently mention her or the shop in every other blog post I write! It’s easy to cheerlead for someone when you love and admire them.  Whitney's business has thrived for 15 years in Frederick, Md. That accomplishment alone speaks volumes about her. But what I find so special about this creative entrepreneur are her own artistic talents creating fiber art, her dedication to the world of craft and crafters, and her continuous support of me and my own clay pursuits. Whitney has begun writing a column for the local paper about using craft to help you find some calm in your own life. Check out her latest column by clicking on the photo above.

I'm thankful for all the people that keep me company in my life. Each of you has a hand in making me a better person, encouraging my creativity and supporting my clay business. Thank you! Here's another chance to view my new video. Click, view, and let me know what you think!

Something Old, Something New...

A production potter has mastered the art of recreating the same piece consistently on a large scale, often using a potter’s wheel. One of the reasons I create a pattern for a finished pot I like is so I can make it again (and again) using clay hand-building techniques.  As much as I value the routine and comfort of making a familiar shape over and over in the studio, I also enjoy a good creative challenge.

I really like the process of figuring out how to make something I’ve never created before. It usually starts with an idea and a picture in my head. I know ahead of time what I want the finished piece to look like. Sometimes I’ll sketch it out (mostly so I don’t forget).

One of the challenges of this piece happens when it dries. I've learned to support the length of the tray during the early drying process with a piece of styrofoam so it doesn't bow in the middle. 

Trial and error is part of the process. I allow myself time to fail because this will happen. I assess the shapes that need to be pieced together to make a final whole. Lots of times, I just start cutting apart clay and shaping. As I close in on success, I take note of the shapes, tools, and process I used to achieve the final result.  I make a pattern with cut-up manila folders. 

Once I've created a pattern and a sample of the finished piece has made it successfully through all the stages of the kiln-firing process, I know I can recreate it when I want to. It's how I achieve quality control and the ability to produce multiples of the same shape over and over again. 

Here's another new project in the works. I'm in the homestretch of completing a series of tiled totem posts for a local school. Each young child in the school (and several teachers and parents) decorated a pre-made tile with underglaze. I will apply a clear glaze over their artwork and fire them in my kiln this week. Once the tiles are ready, I'll adhere them to the posts we erected at the front entry of the school. This has been a fantastic project. It's one more example of working on a new and different project!

When a new shape I make is one my customers like to purchase, it then becomes 'something old.' And luckily for me, there always seems to be 'something new' to create waiting in the wings! Got an idea for me? Click here to tell me about it!

Made From Scratch

In honor of the season finale of the television series 'Mad Men', I tried a new manicotti recipe for dinner last night (stay with me, there will be a connection here). I made everything from the sauce to the pasta. It took some planning; I had to shop and make sure I had the right ingredients; I had to allow enough time for the sauce to simmer and develop flavor over a couple of hours and I had to trust it would all come together.  Believe me, there are times I’m just as happy to cook using prepared ingredients and snap decisions. But when I can plan it, I really enjoy the process that leads to the end result.

Of course this ‘love of process’ relates to clay and what I do in the studio. Now that I think about it, it’s part of my make-up with any task I take on.  My creative juices peak when I accept an offer to make something I’ve never created before or have a new idea in my head. I think about the final shape, figure out the necessary parts, make a template and start cutting and assembling clay. It does not always translate the first time around. But that’s okay. There are times I’ve spent hours on a project and when it’s finished, it’s just not right. I’ll either smash it or put it aside to use as a reference and start over again – happily.

It all starts with a blank canvas. I roll out the clay with my slab roller to a little more than a 1/4 inch thickness.

I'm working on a yellow jasmine flower for a totem project. Here is the first version. I didn't like it. It wasn't working. For me, I learn from the assembly of the clay. I have enough experience to know when I need to continue to work on the design. Back to the 'drawing board.'

I cut out a new leaf shape. It's less 'pointy' and not as long as the first rendition. 

The new design is working. It took a few attempts, but it was time well-spent in the studio!

So back to the 'Mad Men' connection. It wasn't the recipe that held any meaning to this 1960's based drama, but the story of starting from scratch. Sometimes this can lead to success, but it might also bring about failure. For me, the final show of this television series showed how the main character, Don Draper dealt with his highs, his lows, his constant self-reinvention. He was always willing to start over. That's a great life lesson. I'll try to remember that in the studio and everything I do. 

Click on image below! If you're a 'Mad Men' fan, you'll understand!

Let It Go

In addition to being a good life skill, the process of letting go applies to a variety of developmental stages in clay. I’ve learned that each time I stop looking back at a mistake; a poorly executed skill; a broken pot; or a plan gone awry and move ahead, the outcome is usually positive.

As a beginning potter, I wanted to keep everything I made because it showed that I had finished the process. As my skills grew, I became more critical of the final piece and began to treasure only those that matched my intentions and let go of ones that did not. 

The clay process can be cruel with unforeseen mishaps lurking at every stage of the creation. I’ve learned to make peace with this reality by thinking that ‘every pot has a life.’ Some are short-lived and never even make it to the kiln; some don’t make it through the firing process; some make it and may even exceed your expectations and then some get broken down the way. This mantra frees me from wallowing in the past so I can let go and move forward.

After this favorite platter broke, i decided to glue it back together and keep it. I still like how it looks -- cracks, chips and all!

At this stage in my studio, letting go means learning to trust my creative instincts and translate them into the clay. By loosening up, trusting my skills and letting go of the past, I’ve been able to create in the moment and find my own voice through clay.

I like the undulating form of this bowl. I think it accurately portrays how I've loosened up in the studio!