It’s been a while.

Apr 13

I took a pottery class years ago... bought a used kiln during Covid and have only fired it about twice a year since then. Even when I did... it was less than half full. Despite all of that, I have just retired young from my corporate job so that I can play with clay and paint all day. It is literally insane... maybe a midlife crisis of sorts. I am sure that I am not alone. Ceramics is a fast growing hobby.

As AI seems to be taking over everything, there is something wonderful and authentic about getting your hands muddy and making something with clay. Other than the motor that spins my wheel and the electricity that saves me from having to build a real fire everytime I want to fire something, it is blissfully low tech. In fact, I don’t even bring my phone into my ‘clay closet’ with me

Yesterday, I threw for six hours - extending the clay beyond its limits in order to test what it and I could do. I made some beautiful shapes and then destroyed them for just the fun of it. It was kind of wonderful to not need to be “productive” after decades in the corporate world. Any pieces that survived a few rounds of manipulation were cut in half to prove that I was getting close to what I wanted.

But I did save one piece... a mug for my husband. For supporting me as I do this ridiculous thing.

I know it isn’t perfect but is only day one after all.