A Sense of Play—My Novel Freshman Experience

A Holly alkaline glazed Face Jug

Dave Drake, Alkaline Glaze

Alkaline Glazed Bowl

I've been reading about Burlon Craig—my artist for Tuesday's class presentation—all summer. I find his adherence to the "old ways" inspiring. I love those same traditional ways. And I've fallen in love with the alkaline glazes that Catawba potters are known for.  Professor H. has let me run amok trying and testing glazes this term. I've been experimenting with those alkaline glazes and having a blast just playing with them.  I've had more than a few clunkers, but this last batch is close to what I want. The top left picture is an 1800's alkaline glazed piece I've been using as inspiration. The face jug on the right is my new glaze.

But more than just ash glazes, I've been looking at other glazes, too. This white glaze was nice. I tried adding different stains and oxides to it. The little tiles are some results.

Seriously, I'm having so much fun with this.  Trying new glazes, trying old favorites in new ways. I know it's school and I'm learning, but darn I'm having fun while I'm at it. It truly is play for me.

I think sometimes we forget to play. To allow ourselves to try something new and be okay if we fail at it. Maybe that's why I love pottery. It's not only okay to fail, it's sort of expected. Potters who have been at it decades have pieces that don't work out. There's a Burlon Craig quote I love. Actually the quote is from another potter, Kim Ellington in The Potter's Eye about Craig. "One time I was watching him (Burlon Craig) turn a five to six gallon jar—quietly because I knew you couldn't carry on a conversation doing that kind of work. When he came to pick it up with his pot lifters, that thing just slumped down onto the wheel head. He slammed it down all the way with his fist and said, 'That just goes to show. You never always get it right. Let's go to lunch.'"

Nice. That's the type of attitude I love. Go ahead and try. Don't expect it to always work out. It's a philosophy that applies to pottery and writing.  Whenever I do a workshop for writers I point out that when I'm talking about my writing, that's what works for me. I don't expect everything I do to work for them. I suggest they take what does sound right and discard the rest. And I point out that what works today might not work tomorrow.  We all change in our craft. We grow and evolve. The pieces I'm making today are better than the ones I made this time last year. And I hope they're not nearly as good as the ones I'll be making this time next year (in my own studio!!). Same thing with books. My early ones were written with more heart that skill. But hopefully when you pick up a newer one you can see how I've evolved. Hopefully you like both though! LOL

A hope as I evolve in my craft I don't lose the sense of play. I unloaded a couple kilns this weekend and I was little-kid-at-Christmas excited. Each piece I pulled out, even those that weren't mine, made me smile!

I hope you all share that sense of play and wonder. That you have something in your life that makes you feel like a kid at Christmas!

Remember, 'That just goes to show. You never always get it right' and that's alright!

Holly

PS My Hometown Hearts series is starts in January! The first book, Crib Notes, is available for preorder now! I hope you'll pick up your copy! (The first chapter is available as a sample at iBooks.) I'd really appreciate your support with a preorder! Each one gives my book a bit more visibility!

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