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art
October 2009 
Ceramics class at North Idaho College
Posted on May 23rd, 2009
by 
Jw
Jw
The teacher, Larry Clark, gets an "E" for effort. He put a lot of effort and energy into teaching and shared his expertise generously, answering my persistent questions. I became so involved that I let many of my other artistic efforts fall by the wayside. It became clear to me that clay, for me, can be addictive.
A big part of this class was being a part of a community of artists and hanging out with younger people. I enjoy their energy. With creative projects they are so cool because they don't know they can't do something so they do it anyway.
I learned that for the 20-30 something age group, there is absolutely no stigma about being a single mom, something that is different from my generation. One of my classmates, when asked if she was going to marry her boyfriend/father of her child remarked, "Gee, after you have a baby with someone, you learn things about them that make you not feel the need to marry." Yikes! What an interesting statement.
At NIC, there is an electric kiln and a big honkin' gas kiln. When pieces are fired in an electric kiln it is like putting them in a toaster, predictable. The gas kiln, on the other hand, is a trial by fire and the results can be either great or desastrous. It is best to not be too attached to a particular outcome.
A few of my pieces.
We had a sculpture assignment. My intention was to make a couple of spiral shapes. I didn't have much more of a concept. When I started doing the project, I was very aware of the space where the clay could go and then the clay just started growing and this weird creature thing happened. I say happened because I felt I wasn't the one doing this. It was transformative for me. Don't know if anything like this will happen again.
Does anyone care to help me with a name/title?
A big part of this class was being a part of a community of artists and hanging out with younger people. I enjoy their energy. With creative projects they are so cool because they don't know they can't do something so they do it anyway.
I learned that for the 20-30 something age group, there is absolutely no stigma about being a single mom, something that is different from my generation. One of my classmates, when asked if she was going to marry her boyfriend/father of her child remarked, "Gee, after you have a baby with someone, you learn things about them that make you not feel the need to marry." Yikes! What an interesting statement.
At NIC, there is an electric kiln and a big honkin' gas kiln. When pieces are fired in an electric kiln it is like putting them in a toaster, predictable. The gas kiln, on the other hand, is a trial by fire and the results can be either great or desastrous. It is best to not be too attached to a particular outcome.
Electric Kiln
Gas Kiln
A few of my pieces.
Square plate, bowl, sperical sculpture
Porcelain Jar
We had a sculpture assignment. My intention was to make a couple of spiral shapes. I didn't have much more of a concept. When I started doing the project, I was very aware of the space where the clay could go and then the clay just started growing and this weird creature thing happened. I say happened because I felt I wasn't the one doing this. It was transformative for me. Don't know if anything like this will happen again.
Animal? Vegetable?
Vegetable? Animal?
Does anyone care to help me with a name/title?
Access: Public
I am terrible at naming things but I love your sculpture and the other pieces too but especially that vesica piscis bowl.
I have never thought much about people being any particular age unless they put a lot of energy into what age they are, and I never really think of myself in terms of what my age is. That seems to work the best for me. I'm glad though, that as a culture we've grown up enough not to be obsessed with things like having to be married!
How cool, Janine, that you're doing this! Your pieces are scrumptious. The first one you posted is my favorite, and the porcelain jar comes second. But that spiraled piece of animal/vegetable should just be called “Miracle”. It's like a child that needed to come out. A spirit that wanted to be born, no matter how he/she looked. You birthed something special into the world, yes.
Jeannie, I agree totally about the age thing. My experience is relative to the other group that I have been involved with recently, which is our neighborhood airport group. At those social gatherings, mostly peopled by retired folks who are chronologically my age, the conversation often centers around who has died, illnesses, etc. I have since decided that just because they are my neighbors, doesn't mean I have to hang out with them.
And a bit more about community: I envy church-goers because they have a great community and a place to center as a group. I am a bit concerned about the rest of us. We need to have a similar social fabric. I'm ready to start weaving.
“Miracle,” that's good because it was that!
Sometimes with these blogs, the most mind-catching comments are in the comments. Or perhaps spirit-catching… anyway, Janine, you're right about the need for other ways of creating community. Danita and I are looking at drumming to do that, with youth, I guess, or anyone. We wanted to encourage kids to create a context and way of relating that had nothing to do with the dreary alternatives (gangs, etc.) offered by mainstream culture and its entrenched “alternatives.” Music can do that, but it's an impermanent community. I'm also looking for more permanent alternatives.
Also, I do like the one with the square plate and the round bowl and the sculpture, which reminds me of the many beautiful varieties of “barrel”-type cactus.
Thanks for noticing that Martha. I'd wanted to say that for me learning about ceramics was only half of equation; the other half was community. (I am often at a loss for words.)
I think I am going to make “community” my next biggest goal.
Wish you and Danita lived closer.
intestinal fortitude….that's my name for the project
Either that, or it's going to give birth!
You posted this a month ago, I am going to have to subscribe so I don't miss. FB sent me here! Yay!
I love what you have made. Pregnant with possibilities is a wonderful name, especially since all the possibilities with holes for emergence, input, etc are right there. It initially reminds me of the sea creatures of the coral reef which I saw on TV the other night at my son's house.
I was in Moscow ID last week, no time to take a trip North. Next trip I will include my Lake P. Friends, cause I was very lonesome in Moscow. Granddaughter is delightful, but otherwise, I was doing the rocking chair thing.
I stopped in Denver and wound up at a party with 19 year olds. I loved talking with them, and had to remind myself I am so much older. I actually felt younger.
I am taking Permaculture intensive locally to plug into community and reaching out in other ways. My community in maine has changed as family grew up and left, and then my next set of friends moved away or changed their lives, and of course, I am changing. I feel closer to many of you here online than my neighbors. That's nuts! I am glad I have been able to meet some of you.
And I hope to see you again.