One of my favorite tools in my toolbox is to learn something new! This helps take me out of my head and away from the long waiting game, putting focus on something else. It helps me be productive in how I pass the time, it exercises my brain, and it helps me retain perspective.
Plus, learning is fun, and even better with a friend!
Last night my best friend and I met for an evening pottery wheel throwing class, something neither of us had ever done before. Ready, Set, Throw! We came with open minds and empty cups, excited to see what we would learn and create – together! We felt like little kids, so excited to learn something new and fun.
Our instructor, Sunny Monaco, was fabulous. Fun, welcoming, a total pro with her teaching and art, and she has the best curly hair I’ve ever seen. Hair jealousy.
Throwing pottery is mesmerizing, meditative, soothing, focused. The process of centering the clay, physically drawing it in, is mirrored in the artist – bringing the body in to its core, soul to its central point. It has a spiritual quality to it. Watching Sunny demonstrate revealed this; I’m not sure the rest of us actually achieved that but we certainly tried.
There is a lot to remember – water, button, cone, compress, collar, tools – all of it a dance between the artist and the clay. If you give gently to the clay, it gives back. But if you lose focus in any regard – boom, the clay falls apart, tears, or flies off the wheel. But when done right, what a gorgeous dance it is!
Our small group was united by love – Sunny sharing her passion for her art, the newlywed couple (married that afternoon!), and my bestie and me, soul sisters forever. The connections were palpable, mirroring that of all of our hands on the clay.
We decided we could have done this all day and night, it was so satisfying!
In the end, we made this adorable little duo – a cup and a bowl. They are perfectly imperfect, just like us.
Next week I will go back to smooth and finish them and prepare them for firing and glazing. I cannot wait to see and share the results! See more images here.
All images © 2021 Carey Martin
If you have landed on this page from an external link, please go HERE to read from the beginning. Otherwise, click on the next title below to continue.
Nice work ladies. Carey, your reporting of this event made me feel I was there. Thank you!!
Thank you! It was pure joy!