My first ever experience with throwing or working with real clay was in undergrad. As an art major on the BFA track I had to take a class from every medium, not just focus on my drawing and watercolor concentrations. So I took a throwing class in the summer of 1999 and hoped for the best.
Taking a pottery class – particularly a throwing class with no experience – at the college level was difficult for me, especially in the fast pace of summer school. I had a full load of classes that summer and was also babysitting to make ends meet. I am the kind of learner who needs time and lots of practice and unfortunately summer school is not ideal for that. When I feel rushed I get anxious and overthink and then my hands shake – not great for working on the wheel. If I had to do it over, I would have taken that class during the regular school year. The pace was intense – a specified amount of bowls had to be made, a tea set, etc. I ended up throwing away all the things I made because everything looked like ashtrays and I walked away with a B – definitely disappointed in myself and the medium.
I do remember that there was a hand-building class meeting in the same space at the same time as our throwing class – I remember looking longingly at that class – small class size, cool sculptures being made. I was intrigued by hand-building. I love sculpture and sculptural forms and even back then I would have preferred making a 3D something sculpture over a mug. But I do understand the importance of being able to throw and I do want to get better at it. In fact, I would love to have a wheel at home so I could practice over and over at any time.
So I didn’t work on the wheel again until the summer of 2013. I took hand-building workshops here and there when I could. But I had a friend who taught pottery at a local crafts center and I decided to give throwing another try. I knew I would work better under a comfortable, friendly atmosphere where there were no grades or high expectations – I loved it. I felt like I was taking in so much more information about throwing, firing, glazing, etc – I’m definitely a self motivated learner.
I think one of the best things about creating in a community clay space is the ability to switch from throwing to hand-building, hand-building to throwing – varying my projects helps me not feel stale and keeps my interest level high. So if I get frustrated with throwing, I can switch it up for the next project and I can go back to the wheel when I’m ready. I say when I’m ready because I feel the wheel can sense my mood/emotions. If I’m not having a great day, it feels as those the wheel knows and I struggle with throwing. If I’m having a great day, I have a great experience on the wheel. But honestly maybe I need to push through that. Who knew working with clay would be such an emotional experience.
