Well, I am at it again, throwing on the wheel.I set myself a goal of a certain amount of items to make, and I am not going to make it.Why? I am running out of clay for one thing. The second reason is my body energy is crying out for a break.
There is such a thing as a " production potter". They sit at the wheel and throw an item in a few pulls, as rapidly as possible, and it is finished. Often paid by the unit, motion is money. Alas, I am not one of those creatures. I do like to be succinct in my motions.However, for me, it is about the details and the nuances. The lip of vessel is an example. How does it relate to the vessel as a whole? Can it be simpler, or more dramatic?
I have been working on mugs again. Here is a picture of some finished creations, with a little bit of Sedona red rocks in the background. My studio is here among the red rocks. However when I throw, I keep my back to the beauty and my vision on the wheel.
There is a lot of the physical action in using the potter's wheel. It is actually the body that keeps the arms and hands centered. You push forward with all of you. This is why beginners find their hands wobbling and unable to center the clay. The forward motion comes from the core, not just the hands.
The other important factor is the spirit. Am I centered when I sit at the wheel? I can do it now matter what my mood due to years of experience. However, when the body and spirit are in harmony, now there is my joy
This is the finished creation using my alphabet named Victory. There was a focus in the workshop.We were to use our made up letters to write our own epitaph, our last words. My came out in poem form. The words are as follows:
Creating beauty
Clay moving in my hands,
ceramics emerging.
Letters written in ancient patterns -
calligraphy.
Paid to practice,
following my inner muse.
Loving many, loved by you.
Happiness.
I loved using the patterns of the black ink on the white page. Why make an opening line go straight? I like a bit of wave in my life. I guess I am assuming that those who read my epitaph are dear to me, and perhaps I to them.
It is interesting to me what we all do leave behind. Certainly my creations, both in pen and ink as well as ceramics, will long outlast the mortal me. I like it that I can invent art forms that often seem very beautiful to me and others. I makes me feel, well, happy!
Yesterday I attended a workshop taught by a lovely artist and calligrapher from New York, Jeanne Poland. The theme was to write out your own epithet using an alphabet you created.
That wasn't a problem for me. A while ago, I had invented this alphabet you see. I called it Victory.There it was, nestled on a page in my portfolio, just waiting for me to use. This really made me analyze just what is involved when starting from scratch.
In calligraphy, the capital letters are called the Upper case. A decision must be made as to whether there will be ascenders, the parts of the letters going above the line, or descenders, those strokes below the lines. This Victory alphabet has only capitals. This is not historically unique. Look at the Uncial style from the 3rd century. It has that Celtic look you would recognize .
I set about to use my own invention. I chose a large, automatic pen with its flexible nib. This is really a manipulated hand. I start out on the full edge, and then twist and come off onto the side edge of my pen. This gives that variation I want. I am actually using the same strokes in different sequences, depending on the perimeters of each letter. An alphabet is really about patterns and rhythms. I think the Victory will always have a certain individuality.
More to come...
Here is my latest creation uniting my dual arts of ceramics and calligraphy. I love to use the clean white porcelain as the " canvas" to my cobalt blue brush lettering. It is entitled "The Mind", and these are words that speak to me.What goes on in our heads can be a powerful force in our lives.What we dwell on does often take on a life of its own. I like reading inspirational words that make me look inward. I hope other people might find a connection to my presentation.
This quote is attributed to a famous spiritual leader, Siddhartha Gautama,who lived a very long time ago in Nepal. Raised in wealth as the son of a king, he left that world to become a monk. Sitting under the bohdi tree, he was searching for the answers to the problem of suffering to come.Finally came understanding and he became the Buddha, which means " he who is awake."
What you think is important. What you see can start this process. Comments?
Well, I am at it again, throwing on the wheel.I set myself a goal of a certain amount of items to make, and I am not going to make it.Why? I am running out of clay for one thing. The second reason is my body energy is crying out for a break. 
