Sorry for the swear word and to anyone that might offend. But my tush hurts. One might wonder how I got a pulled muscle of sorts in my rump. Well, I am embarrassed to say it's from my pottery class. Yes, I know. I am probably the only person who has suffered an injury while learning to throw pots on the wheel. This class was supposed to be a stress reliever, but it is starting to stress me out!
Yesterday, for class #2 (out of 5), everyone showed up to class right on time and we all just kind of looked towards the wheels. If you are trying to get a visual of the wheel, think of the famous scene from Ghost. Our regular instructor was no where to be seen, and we had a fill in named Dustin. To get a visual of Dustin, take every preconceived notion of what a male pottery instructor would be like, ball them up, and there you have Dustin.
After some instruction on how to knead the bubbles out of our clay, and purchasing a bucket and tools, Dustin showed us how to use the wheel. I was like a kid in a candy store, right up front to see everything so I could bring home the best bowl or vase ever made. Dustin showed us how to get the clay started on the wheel, water it down, mold it with our hands, water it down some more, speed up the wheel, wait, slow it down, stick a finger in the middle to create that whole bowl effect, keep your elbows on your knees, keep bent over directly over the clay. After 10 minutes of this, I was still clueless, and just sat down at a wheel to start. It looked so easy, I figured I'd have a couple of finished pots at the end of 3 hours.
It took me 3 minutes to realize I am nothing like Demi Moore at this new found hobby. It stresses me out. My perfect ball of clay looked like a potato that lost the fight. After 2.5 hours of trying my hand at throwing pots, well, I had one pathetic little “pot” if you want to call it that. It looks more like a toothbrush holder actually. I did make a pretty great looking bowl, but when I went to take it off the wheel the bottom of the bowl was left on the wheel. So the bowl then became another ball of clay.
I came home covered in clay, messy, stressed out. Last night as I was falling asleep, I had visions of the wheel, and how I could make my bowls and pots better. This morning I woke up with a pulled muscle in my bum. After trying to figure out what the heck I did, I showed Kevin how you have to sit when using the wheel, and bingo, wouldn’t you know it hurt like hell. I think I need to watch Ghost again this week.
Showing posts with label Pottery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pottery. Show all posts
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
First Time Potter
I finally did something I said I was going to do. I signed up for class and actually went even though Hurricane Ike felt like he invaded Chicago this weekend. I signed up for the “First Time Potter” class at a local art center, which involves…well, pottery. I was so excited on Sunday, I got up early, walked Bailey in the rain, stopped at Peet’s for some coffee on my way and found myself at the art studio right on time.
I walked into the art center, dripping wet and soggy, shook out my umbrella and quickly found reception. I got my “clay ticket” and sought out my classroom. I had visions of a cute little room with pottery wheels and already made pots lining the walls. I was a little taken aback, because the whole room, covered in dust colored clay, was devoid of color. I found a seat and sat down with about 8 other women. We all kind of looked around and sized each other up, and no one said a word to each other. It felt like we were waiting to take a final exam in college, and everyone was anxious and wanted to get on with the class.
Our instructor finally walked in and with a combination of strange, funny and awkwardness, put us all at ease. He went around the room so we could introduce ourselves. I was feeling pretty confident with my pottery making abilities because I consider myself a fairly creative person and love to do crafts. After we went around the room to introduce ourselves, I started to feel like a pottery loser. About 80% of the room had a degree in pottery, or some sort of art related major. I majored in English. I have done nothing creative (except for knitting) in about 15 years. Two friends who sat together introduced themselves and one was a lawyer and the other, a consultant. I was wondering how I could change seats and befriend them because I know that lawyer is not doing very much pottery in her free time. Well, I joined this class to perhaps meet some new people, and let my creative juices flow. It didn’t matter if I was going to be the worst potter. I’m a strong, successful women, surely I can make some pots!
Something else magical happened though. I looked up at the clock 2 ½ hours later and realized I had gotten lost in myself. I thought about absolutely nothing for over 2 hours, but molding that clay. I took a ball of the wet clay and molded it in my hands until I created a bowl, an open box and a little knick knack. I don’t really care if these come out of the kiln and look ridiculous. It was nice to escape life for a few hours. I didn’t think about the dog, our messy condo, being hungry, work, family, IVF, babies. I just molded clay.
I haven't put time aside for myself where there was no tv, no cell phone, no internet or email, not a even a book to read. My mind just stopped, for the first time in a long time.
I walked into the art center, dripping wet and soggy, shook out my umbrella and quickly found reception. I got my “clay ticket” and sought out my classroom. I had visions of a cute little room with pottery wheels and already made pots lining the walls. I was a little taken aback, because the whole room, covered in dust colored clay, was devoid of color. I found a seat and sat down with about 8 other women. We all kind of looked around and sized each other up, and no one said a word to each other. It felt like we were waiting to take a final exam in college, and everyone was anxious and wanted to get on with the class.
Our instructor finally walked in and with a combination of strange, funny and awkwardness, put us all at ease. He went around the room so we could introduce ourselves. I was feeling pretty confident with my pottery making abilities because I consider myself a fairly creative person and love to do crafts. After we went around the room to introduce ourselves, I started to feel like a pottery loser. About 80% of the room had a degree in pottery, or some sort of art related major. I majored in English. I have done nothing creative (except for knitting) in about 15 years. Two friends who sat together introduced themselves and one was a lawyer and the other, a consultant. I was wondering how I could change seats and befriend them because I know that lawyer is not doing very much pottery in her free time. Well, I joined this class to perhaps meet some new people, and let my creative juices flow. It didn’t matter if I was going to be the worst potter. I’m a strong, successful women, surely I can make some pots!
Something else magical happened though. I looked up at the clock 2 ½ hours later and realized I had gotten lost in myself. I thought about absolutely nothing for over 2 hours, but molding that clay. I took a ball of the wet clay and molded it in my hands until I created a bowl, an open box and a little knick knack. I don’t really care if these come out of the kiln and look ridiculous. It was nice to escape life for a few hours. I didn’t think about the dog, our messy condo, being hungry, work, family, IVF, babies. I just molded clay.
I haven't put time aside for myself where there was no tv, no cell phone, no internet or email, not a even a book to read. My mind just stopped, for the first time in a long time.
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