Hi there
Thanks for popping in. Sunny day, blue skies here in the southeast of England. Calm head. A morning of pottery does that. I signed up for a very specific kind of Sunday pottery class many weeks ago, and today was Day 1. Five Sundays in a row.
The course title is Architectural Ceramics, so you can imagine it’s all about structure, building, lines, curves. Less about function, more about shape. That’s the kind of art I have been drawn to and where I’m finding my own style, so I put my name down for it straightaway. In fact, Eunice, the owner of the Clay Studio, and friend, said, “There’s an external ceramic artist running a course here in January. Right up your street. The course is made for you!” Tim Fluck. Easy name to remember!
But when I got there this morning, I quickly figured out that if I am going to enjoy (or even get through) this course of Sunday mornings, I am going to have to keep it simple. Firstly, from a mental point of view. I can’t think sharp just now, so complex structural feats of engineering in clay aren’t a smart idea, right? A standard teapot seems impossible in my head right now, so a multi-tiered, assymmetrical construction inspired by the Bejing Birds Nest ain’t appenin!!
Secondly, there’s the practicality. Somewhere during this Clay course, there will be Dad’s funeral, which requires organisation and planning too – and is a lot higher on the priority list than kneading clay. That said, kneading clay is good for the head; I highly recommend it.
So that’s where our quote of the day kicks in #15
Keep It Simple
No point in being super ambitious here. Got nothing to prove, got no exam to pass. Not obsessed with the outcome. Just want to get with my hands on a Sunday morning, switch my focus, and have a soft plan to work towards. Soft and Gentle. That’s how it has to be. And I bet you get me. I bet so many of you have been here, and know we need to keep it simple. I’m sure I’ll learn loads from Tim Fluck too! Just got to trust the simple process.
Anyway, I also know enough to know that a simple structure doesn’t mean it’s simple to construct. And I’ve always been a less-is-more kinda gal! Same with cards. Less is always more, friends. That’ll have to be one of our quotes too! But not today. Today we keep it simple.
I’ll show you what it is when it’s done. Today I only cut out the templates and wedged the clay. Spent more time thinking about it than actually getting tucked in! And that’s ok. It means I know exactly what to do when I get there next Sunday, and I haven’t got to think about it until then either – unless I choose to.
I designed Dad‘s Funeral Announcement this morning too. He’d approve. Classy, just like him.
Have a good Sunday.
Love always
Barb x x x