Creative (and Empty) Bowls

Deal-makers aim for "win-win" as they believe

that means both parties get a benefit.

Sometimes, the stars align and a particular project

turns out to be a "win-win-win-win..."

Such was this year's fundraiser for "Feeding Avery Families."

Our quasi-official clay group (from 3 different states) scheduled our second annual Mudfest to coincide with our leader's (Mother Mud's) favorite community project: Empty Bowls.  Since the indefatigable Patti Conner-Greene spearheads the construction of clay bowls in the Avery County High School art classes she had also challenged us to each make one or more bowls to donate to the fundraiser.

The Mudpuppies

pottery support group and creative muses

Opening business included lunch, catching up and a birthday celebration.  While we were prepared to spend some time experimenting with "pinch pots," we first wanted to present our wares to the "Head of Pottery," Ms. Conner-Greene, the bowl collector.

I show you first my humble piece as I don't consider myself a potter and was really flummoxed by the task at hand.  It would not have taken too much for me to hide it and not "go public".  Live and learn.

Amy bravely unwrapped her efforts and began discussing techniques used and what she learned.  She talked about certain pieces that did not meet her "standards" and might be held from donation.

Lisa began sharing her work and soon we were all laughing and oohing and ahhing and trading "secrets" for how to get certain results.  We giggled over how much better the potential rejects looked out of their home studios....

Patti convinced us that despite our initial reaction to appearance she really loved, but even more, wanted, needed each and every bowl.  There was little time to hem and haw so back into the boxes and the bowls were off to the next day's event.

I'll save our pinching experience as well as our field trips for another time.  Fast forward to the day of the event and we see three (non-professional) potters arriving to volunteer for the event.  

 Barbara assisting a donor select a bowl

a view of the many bowls donated and Amy answering questions

Attendees make a donation to the organization in exchange for selecting a handmade bowl and then they sit down to enjoy a range of soups, breads and desserts.  Craft it and they will come: donors poured in to support the cause.  

Are they aware of what else they did?  

They gave a handful of fledging crafters the greatest high a maker can receive: they valued the product.  Professional pots mingled with first-ever pots, wondrous bowls cohabited with the humble, earth tones sat in harmony with wild colors.  But each one was lovingly picked up and handled with respect.  Our Puppies gave up guessing which one a donor would finally choose; each and every bowl seemed to ring the chimes of someone.  It is an understatement to say that the newbie potters saw their own work in an entirely new light.  The love of a stranger made a huge impact.  The adoption of one's potential reject changed its status forever.  Watching someone willingly select something you made provided a rush of adrenaline that is rare and wonderful.

Lisa rearranging the display as inventory diminishes

Long before the event was to serve its last bowl of soup the available "empty bowls" dwindled.  For the first time there was not a single hand-made, donated pottery bowl to pack up and store: they were all in new homes.  And, before even adding in anticipated funds from a silent auction, the event organizers were counting over $10,000 raised towards helping feed needy families in Avery County this winter.  Certainly a huge benefit for the organization and the citizens its serves.

Patti has often shared the generosity of high school students donating their first bowl as opposed to keeping it, and she told stories of the classes at the senior center making and giving a generous amount.  But she could not have predicted the numerous benefits participating in such a project would hold for each of us.  I'm not sure any of the Mud Pups have touched ground yet.

Take away on paper?  #1- When you compliment someone's art you are giving them a priceless, precious gift and encouragement to continue. #2- Never, ever underestimate the ability of your work to please, get it out there, let it breathe....it will find a friend.

win-win-win-win-win....such a deal!

MUDDY FINGERS,

Cindy

Pinching Pots

Not everyone enjoys diving into new art forms...

and this was never meant to be a "how to" blog.

But today's subject takes us all back to childhood play,

and, most importantly, an art form that just

might be a stress reliever!

My sister is learning how to pot.  She leans over a spinning wheel and beneath her fingers there emerges a finely shaped mug, or a bowl or something else magical.  Of course it takes a loooong

time to learn this craft and try as I might, I failed at every attempt I made to learn how.  Still, I long to play in clay and never miss an opportunity to try again (and again and again).  So when she suggested we enjoy the lovely weather by sitting on her deck and "pinching pots" I was all in.

"Pinching" is very similar to what we all did as children with "Play Doh" (and before we knew we had to learn a specific way to do it. And I'm not crazy: Play Doh DID rework its formula not long ago, something I sadly discovered when I sat down to pinch with the grands.)

My sis suggested we all start with a small ball of clay and work from there.  Before I knew it my husband joined in as well and we were all simultaneously pinching and chatting.

My fingers worked and my mind drifted off.  Pretty soon my chat lessened and I stood up to use more muscle and get a better view.  I thought of Paulus Berensohn, the exquisite potter who saw more value in pinch pots than first meets the eye.  I felt like my efforts were, in a small way, a tribute to him. (link is to NY Times story) Especially since he had just, as he liked to call it, "changed addresses," when he passed last week in Asheville.  

My husband finished his piece first, either a shot glass or a vessel for a night cap (we non-techies are not quite sure how to calculate the shrinkage.)  

My sister made a lovely little vessel ready to receive the texture she had in mind pushing into it.

I worked mine into a little ice cream or soup bowl and had fun letting the lip wonk around the edge.

Relaxing?  Yes, the clay really does tell you where it wants to go and there is something very relaxing about using your sense of touch to play in a formula that goes from soft to firm over time.  I had a hard time letting go....which would have been fine if stress release was the plan, but not so if I want to fire and finish the bowl.

And because I can never get too much of a good thing I made another ball and let the clay tell me it wanted to become a cup!  I started painting (I mean "under glazing") this one later in the week and you can tell I was still in my child-mind.

And if I never see these pieces again?  Or if they blow up in the kiln? Or get knocked over and crushed?  Honestly, it will be OK.  It was the first time Clay and I ever had a relaxing, purely tactile, stress-relieving experience together.  I'm now an affirmed "pincher."

So go beg, borrow or buy a hunk of clay, either one you can fire, one that air dries or get a tub of play doh...make a ball, dig a little thumb hole and start shaping and pinching and pulling.  Ball it all back up and start over.  Do it when you have mental work to do, do it when you are sad or blue, do it when you can barely sit still.  Your fingers and hands will thank you, your arms will thank you and I promise you will feel so good.

For another article on the man who declared himself the "fairy godfather" of so many special children  go here.  And U-tube has many wonderful selections in the archives.  Enjoy.  

Proud to be Pinching,

Cindy