Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Playing in the Mud

 

First, to be clear – I have no, repeat, NO artistic ability. Even my handwriting is so poor that I used to avoid writing on the blackboard when I was a teacher.

But I may have found my medium.

Just as something for fun, a friend and I signed up for a pottery class. Outside of those ashtrays (did teachers in the 1950s think that everyone’s family smoked? Good thing mine did – like chimneys.) that we all made in elementary school, I haven’t willingly put a pinky in mud for the past umpteen years.

But I’m hooked.




We begin with a giant lump of clay. 

Kind of daunting. 













Then I rolled some of it between giant rollers remarkably like a big pasta machine. 


But now what to do with it? 

There was lots of guidance on technique, but we could make anything we wanted. 










After they've been fired in the kiln.








Then dipping in the glazes. 











And after another firing:





Now if I can just find a place for all the results. 

The family had better watch out at Christmas. 

8 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Good thing I didn’t take any closeup pictures.

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  2. You do nice work. I like the platter that looks like a big leaf.

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  3. You sound excited about something appearing out of the clay by your hand.

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  4. I am an appreciator rather than a creator but like you I enjoy playing in the mud. And should get back to it.

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  5. I love all of them! You did a great job! i like the leaf platter and the deep blues on the small bowl and plate.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks but I have a lot to learn. The glazes and their colors certainly did help a lot.

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  6. I always said that was the downside of pottery classes -- you wind up with a lot of pottery. I took classes a couple of times through Sarasota County and loved it, but I'm still kicking around those pots, 25 years later! Your pieces look really great, though, and if you're enjoying it that's the main thing.

    (Oh, and I think everyone's family DID smoke in the 1950s!)

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Thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear what you think.