I made another small round of goblets adjusting a few things on the form to get them better this time. I think they might be a little bit better.
I'm working on a small change in my wall pieces where more of the texture is on the top. I've been playing around with putting the texture in different places just to try something different. Lately I've been noticing that I've been questioning everything I do even more intensely in the studio. Should I do this texture, should I do that to the form, where should I put it, should I make this, try this, try that. All these options are flying through my head. I don't know what's brought about this reasoning, but I guess I'm wanting to push through to change some things. It just can take a while for these things to come out well sometimes, so it's caused me to work much slower in the last two weeks.
6 comments:
For me sometimes being in the questioning mode means I am in the non-functioning mode, should I do this or that, let's see maybe I should think about it some more. Then that makes me feel I haven't accomplished enough. Catch 22.
Hey Joy! Thanks for your email! It does help to know I'm not the only one's overthinking everything and having tough studio days. :)
I like the notch it looks like you have on the foot of these goblets.
And that is a great bread recipe! I made some last week and started more yesterday. This time I'm making a double batch and added fresh rosemary. It'll go in the oven tonight, so I'll let you know how it comes out. (February Funk = Need for fresh baked bread!)
Miss you!
Meagan
HI Joy,
the way you are questioning yourself/self critique isn't that easy to do - how productive the process is depends alot on so many other things that are also inside our head - like how we are feeling emotionally and physically but the people who do continually look and listen to their own work are the ones that keep growing and don't remain stagnant. I like you latest bunch of goblets. Perhaps some more weight/width at the bottom ?
The way you phrased it sounds like you are being indecisive, maybe putting too much pressure on yourself. I know its not easy being creative, but I have seen your pots for a few years now and I trust your instincts. So what if you do this texture or that, this or that form and it comes out not the way you want? Isn't this a valuable way of learning? I always tell my students not to obssess so much about things until you have had a chance to analyze it in a moment of calm. Make the pot first and then decide if you like it. Don't tie yourself up in knots before you have even touched the clay (my advice). Sometimes it just takes getting in there and seeing what happens. You obviously have a good relationship with the clay. Trust yourself and have some fun with it. Good luck!
Joy,
I was wondering what kind of tool you use for your carvings. The lines always look so clean with no burrs. I've tried various tools and clay wetness, nothing comes out as clean as yours.
Thanks for your comments everyone, for my carving I use a carving tool they use for printmaking (linoleum block tool). I wait until the clay is cheese hard for carving, and I do have some burrs, but once I'm done and it's gotten a little drier, I lightly smooth over the carved area with my thin throwing sponge.
Carter: I was sounding indecisive in that post. I actually meant the questions were good questions for change. I often do this throughout each making cycle in order to improve and refine. So these questions I'm challenging of myself are exciting and a valuable tool for myself to learn from. The mistakes are where I learn most often. And yes, sometimes I do walk away and wait until it's even been fired before evaluating. Sometimes I even don't really "see" it until much later after the firing. Thanks for the support!
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