Welcome to the very first blog of Hannah’s Pottery! Given this is my first, perhaps a good place to start is by talking a little about my creative process, more specifically, how I unleash creativity when potting.
Translating one’s ideas into tangible works of art isn’t always easy. The mere decision of whether to create by using the potter’s wheel or to hand-build can be daunting. Add to that decisions such as what shape to aim for, decorative finishes and practical built and firing considerations and one can easily be overcome with indecision!
Whenever I feel that my indecision may negatively impact a piece, I purposely step away and go back to the environment that inspired me in the first place. That “environment” can be a physical place, something I saw on a walk, a photo, a conversation with a friend or even a lyric from a song. Whatever the inspiration was, I circle back and allow the original (and often new) creative thoughts to wash over me. Effectively, I take a pause and dream. I dream of things like shapes, the movement of my hands on the clay, colours of the rainbow and the feeling that the piece will invoke with the art lover. I call this my Potters dream exercise.
When I activate the Potters dream exercise things start becoming clear. Often, I don’t get to stay in the peaceful dream for too long as my hands start itching…it is letting me know that it is time to touch clay! I quickly dot down a few of the ideas dreamed up and then head out to the pottery studio.
My first job upon returning to the studio is to do the manual no-thinking-required tasks like wedging the clay, slab preparation or gathering the tools required for the potter’s wheel.
When I’m ready to start creating, I have one final look at my notes to help activate the right side of my brain, and off we go (the clay and I). Even if all the answers aren’t readily available yet, getting started will cause the rest to naturally flow. It’s like painting – the most daunting part is that very first brushstroke.
So, whenever next you get stuck on an art piece – consider stepping away from it and activating your Potters dream exercise.
Go on then, Release the Artist Within You!
Until next time.
Hannah