Looking Back While Moving Forward

In and out of the studio this week, I’ve had the opportunity to revisit past career accomplishments, reconnect with people I worked with over 30 years ago and attend a Stanley Cup Final event after 42 years of rooting for the Washington Capitals hockey team. In each situation, I’ve been able to reflect how my past experiences have shaped the person and artist I am today. 

Attending Datatel’s 50th Anniversary party this past week was a fun reminder of my early communications career.  Writing, advertisement development, and inter-office employee communication skills were all part of my job at the early stages of this computer/software company. It was a nurturing environment which touched all of us who worked there. Creativity was encouraged and fostered. I know I use those same skills in my personal creative endeavors today.

It’s been fun to witness the Washington Capitals play in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals. Since my husband and my son have worked in the sports arenas where the team plays throughout the history of the franchise, I am a fan by default. I’ve attended games throughout those times, witnessed the ups and downs of winning and losing and am currently ‘rockin’ the red.’

One of the constants throughout my past career and Washington Capitals fandom have been pottery and knitting. The ceramics classes I took from master potter Cliff Lee more than 30 years ago while working at Datatel resonate with the clay artist I’ve developed into right now. Back then, I made pottery on the wheel and learned to be confident with artistic decision-making. Those lessons are present in my hand-built clay creations today. I've been knitting for about as long as I've had a hand in clay. A yarn project has accompanied me to many a sporting event throughout those years!

My signature today, still looks the same as it did back in 1982.

Perspective gives us a chance to look back at life choices and significant life events that influence current decisions and circumstances. This past week, I especially realize how lucky I've been to learn and grow from past endeavors. I understand now, it all boils down to the special people we encounter throughout these experiences that make them so significant. It was good to spend time with so many of those people this past week.

Out With The Old

I’ve never been a fan of finales. I can remember crying (hard) when the last episode of Lassie aired on television when I was a kid. I didn’t want to let it go. I’ve learned as I’ve grown to say my goodbyes and move forward. 

I’m thinking about all of this for a couple of reasons. I attended one of the last local performances of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus this weekend. I felt a little lump in my throat during the final act, but realize this circus-model is no longer viable. It’s one more ending I’ll add to my list. 

Many years ago, when I was first trying to loosen my clay-making rigidity and mostly throwing pots on the wheel, I hand-built a series of bowls with torn edges and three spiral-coiled feet. I used a colorful palette of under glaze on the inside and each of the feet. These became nicknamed my cirque bowls. They were a departure for me and have led me to my current organic approach to making clay vessels. 

I made the bowl on the left many years ago with a potter's wheel. The bowl on the right was created more recently using a slab of clay pushed into shape over a mini basketball. Each one is a functional bowl; the aesthetic is different and shows how my clay art has evolved.   

I’ve learned to let go of old and familiar life patterns, experiences and things to make room for new ones to flourish. This time of year seems to lend itself to this shedding. Peeling away layers of clothing as the temperatures rise seems to be a good metaphor for noticing other life experiences that may need a good shake off. Old is comforting and familiar. New is unwieldy and unsettling. Honor what’s past, but move on. Embrace what will become and enjoy the ride. Those are my springtime mantras.

Cutting Edge

I currently use a method called hand-building to create my work. My early clay education was primarily based in using a potter's wheel and a method called throwing. I spent many years refining and mastering my throwing skills. I experimented with hand-building and used it in combination with my wheel-thrown work.  It really wasn't until I moved to Charlotte, NC and took an inspirational hand-building class at Clayworks studio that I began to explore and then exclusively choose the hand-building methods to develop my work. This is what keeps me coming back to clay as my medium -- the infinite possibilities of creativity and expression. Some day I may go back to the wheel or use both methods to create, but for now I'm really happy with my slab roller and my imagination.

My wheel is like the 'treadmill' of the studio right now. It does not get any use. In fact, it's still wrapped with plastic from when we moved to Maryland several years ago!

I've had my North Star slab roller for more than 10 years. It's currently the 'work horse' of the studio. I use it to roll out large slabs of clay to make my work.

There are many tools available for cutting the clay slab into the shapes I create. I am always on the lookout for a new and improved (cutting edge) gadget to slice the clay easily with a smooth edge. As you can see, I've tried out many tools!

The knife pictured above is my latest purchase. Sandi Pierantozzi used a similar one in the workshop I attended last week. The needle tool on the top right has been my cutting tool of choice after each experimentation with other devices. It is easy for me to hold and maneuver. The problem with the needle is it leaves a bit of a rough edge on the cut clay surface which requires extra clean-up. I'll give the new knife a whirl in the studio this week.

I just opened the kiln this morning. I'm happy with what I saw!