I've recently discovered pottery and I'm thankful that I did.
The best thing, for me, by far is that I've found something that I can't totally control and I'm allowing myself to take chances and play without being fixated on the end result.
Hand made dish thrown on the wheel.
Every day I put pressure on myself to get everything right. At the beginning of my first term I tried hard to get perfect symmetry and shape, straight lines and smooth edges and this became a blocker. I soon realised that as a novice I couldn't do this as I wouldn't learn unless I made mistakes. So I let go.
Slab pot glazed and ready for a second firing. This didn't turn out anything like I expected it too!
I'm also learning to slow down. I may spend one week making something either by hand or on the wheel, allow it to dry out enough to work on it some more the following week, glaze it the week after and then wait another week for the second firing. The excitement of progressing through the various processes and the anticipation of seeing the final result is a buzz but you can't rush it. There is no immediate result and I find that incredibly relaxing.
My first finished piece of pottery - now used as a ring dish.
Working with your hands to manipulate natural materials and then taking chances with glazing before leaving those creations in the hands of the kiln gods proved a huge leap for me. Sure, over time I will hopefully develop skills that allow me to understand what the materials and tools are capable of but so far, everything I've made or that I am working on is an experiment. And I love it
I think this pot looks like a little wasp's nest.
Necklaces and square dish.