300 Days of Sunshine

Last week marked the end of my wheelthrowing class!   I accomplished quite a bit of artistry in the past seven weeks, but it certainly flew by.   I had some frustrating moments during the second half of my class as I craved to build larger and more desirable pieces, yet couldn’t seem to master the basics such as centering.   Sometimes I was so over-eager to build colossal bowls and delicious mugs that I rushed through the centering stage, which of course caused my pieces to collapse.   But I learned to be more patient and enjoy the process of centering and the feel of the clay on my hands, with less preoccupation with the final product. Throwing a bowl.  This is the B Mix clay, a lighter version of the Death Valley and a good clay for beginners. Working on a mug with a handle. Trimming another handled mug.  I learned that the Death Valley clay develops a rough skin after trimming.  We'll see how it turns out with glaze... ...

To my readers outside of Santa Fe, you may not know that it is a well renowned city of artists.   Many community members are involved in pottery, painting, jewelry making, or other crafts, and people even relocate here for the art scene.   One of the items on my lengthy New Mexico Bucket List was to enroll in a pottery class.   (After all, When in Rome, right?)   Well…   I did!   And I love it!   I am about halfway through my seven-week Wheelthrowing for Beginners class at Santa Fe Clay and I’ve been working on a number of exciting pieces already.   I have found art to be an invigorating release from my fulltime job as a physical therapist, a job that I love but that can be stressful, demanding, and sapping at times.   I feel myself activating the artsy, creative side of my brain in the clay studio and finding a new kind of “flow.”   (Although based on my progress so far, I shouldn’t quit my day job.) A view of the clay s...