Sharing the Road

Learning With Friends  

"Glaze was painted, slopped, mixed, dipped, dripped, layered, squirted, and slung at the just-concluded, long-awaited, eagerly-anticipated Mud Fest 2 held.....on the east coast of Florida."

  

(The "MudPuppies" is an apt name for my loosely organized "clay play" support group. 

Having just received an update from my sister on a recent gathering which I could not attend, I

want to share the highlights from her account with you.  They are absolutely very 
valid observations for any creative gathering.)

 "Well," she wrote, "with the absence of two of our members we succumbed to an element of disorganization in our "proceedings."   (I laughed knowing the "agenda" obsession of the missing two!!) She continues:

" ...left to fend for ourselves we managed ably, if a bit

haphazardly.  Our goals were largely undefined and ever

changing but the weather was amazing, so lunch by the pool anchored our day, no matter

what time we started.  

"We taught each other what we knew, and since there was

little overlap, we emerged twice as smart!  

No matter that we kept forgetting what we had

just looked up (can you put non-clear glaze over velvet

underglaze?) or that we took notes on only half of what

we did (and only half of those are legible). No

matter that we made a mess, and switched gears more times

than you can say "now what?" "what's this?" or "who

knew?" 

"And who cares if we forgot to restir the clear glaze, or if Hot Running Chowder turned out to be runny and we still aren't  sure which glaze is which on those upchucky pots?

"We traded techniques, glazes, tools and stories.  We banished insecurities and self-critique. We co-authored pots. We experimented all over the place.

"Here is some of what we learned: 

• Stir, stir, stir your glazes.          
• If you can't figure out what to do next, just do something, anything.  It's no use in trying to be neat and organized but do bring more intentionality to play.
• We  learned it helps a lot to have a buddy when you are unsure, stuck, or discouraged. 
• We learned that making notes is really, really a good idea -so do it! 
• We learned that glazing doesn't have to be intimidating.

"We now know that with the right attitude we can handbuild, glaze, drink iced tea and then move to wine all pretty seamlessly, to good and fun results.  And that talk, giggles, confusion, questions, laughter and love make the wheels turn, the kiln burn, the hours fly, and the pots please.

Learning with friends is a great way to share the road, divide the load and have an unforgettable time as we summon our creative muses.  Thanks Amy for reminding us why we need the right attitude AND the right buddy as we learn.

OK...meet me in the studio!  Let's play,

Sharing the (colorful) Road,
Cindy