In my next life I will be a potter

As many of you already know I have been taking ceramics classes for the past year.  I have almost mastered making a mug, bowls of the same size and things with lids.  When I signed up for these classes I intended to express my creativity by making useful objects.  I took a sculpture class in college and mostly felt anxious by the demand to be creative and come up with something unique. I would sit for hours attempting to think of something one-of-a-kind. This caused me lots of stress because I also really wanted a "A" (I didn't want a "C" in sculpture to prevent me from graduating with honors).  This led to a not so fun semester and several oddly misshapen sculptures that my mom now proudly displays in her yard.  Obviously I was missing the point.  

Ceramics is different.  You begin a piece by throwing a block of clay onto a table with lots of force (to get out the air bubbles).  This releases a lot of end of the day stress.  Once you are seated at the wheel and it starts spinning you enter a meditative state of sorts.  You steady your breathing and feel the clay slip through your fingers.  It is an entirely relaxing experience (very unlike a game of soccer).  I truly enjoy every moment I am in the studio.  

I have to give credit to all of my many wonderful ceramics teachers(I have had three).  The pieces above are made by Jim Newton. Jesse and I went to his house on Sunday for his Winter Sale.  His house is in the Berkeley Hills and was unbelievable.  He had a large pond in his yard with actual koi.  The yard itself was out of a design book.  His ceramics pieces were displayed though out his house.  His ceramics wheel looks out onto his beautiful yard, koi pond and an amazing view of the bay.  Truly peaceful.  I would like to be him for a day.