Monday
Jan182010
Sacred Space
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 9:28AM
I went in one day last week ready to make pots and found my wheel in this messy state. Yuck. Not a inspiring sight. I have been reading Free Play:Improvisation in Life and Art again and there is a part where the author mentions the workplace as sacred space.
I remembered this and decided to clean up a bit before I started making the plates I had planned for the morning.
I hate having a water bowl half full of slip. Plus it was cold. I emptied it out and replaced it with nice warm water. A much more pleasant experience for throwing on a cold morning.
I am going to try and take this information with me each time I enter the studio. That is, that this is my creative place, where I come to work and play and think and solve problems. I could go so far as to say it's my temple, but I won't. It is my pottery shop, and well, for me that's a special place and I want to be in a special mindset when I am there. I can certainly try to create a more conductive atmosphere for my 'Muse' as the author of Free Play would say.
There's no reason this idea can't expand into other parts of life also. For instance in the kitchen, or at my sketch book, or here at the computer. Taking time to be centered, to be present, to be alive, so that I can fully create, relax, or enjoy each moment will certainly be a good thing to strive for.
So, I hope everyone has a good Monday.
I remembered this and decided to clean up a bit before I started making the plates I had planned for the morning.
I hate having a water bowl half full of slip. Plus it was cold. I emptied it out and replaced it with nice warm water. A much more pleasant experience for throwing on a cold morning.I am going to try and take this information with me each time I enter the studio. That is, that this is my creative place, where I come to work and play and think and solve problems. I could go so far as to say it's my temple, but I won't. It is my pottery shop, and well, for me that's a special place and I want to be in a special mindset when I am there. I can certainly try to create a more conductive atmosphere for my 'Muse' as the author of Free Play would say.
There's no reason this idea can't expand into other parts of life also. For instance in the kitchen, or at my sketch book, or here at the computer. Taking time to be centered, to be present, to be alive, so that I can fully create, relax, or enjoy each moment will certainly be a good thing to strive for.
So, I hope everyone has a good Monday.
Reader Comments (8)
I like an uncluttered studio, but I prefer a nice and dirty throwing area. I think it's so I don't have worry a space clean. (Warming up the throwing slip with boiling water is nice though.)
I have a regular task call "clearing the decks". It's my tendency to make a mess when I'm working and although I keep my wheel area fairly tidy, my tables have to be cleaned off from time to time. I'm not talking about pots that are in process, but all the little things I set down casually. After a while they start getting in the way. Today is one of those days. So off I go to clear the decks and get my hands in some clay!
ahhh.... I have a good photo for you, I'll try to post it tomorrow or the next day!
Hi Ron, this post really hit a chord. I work in chaos most of the time, in the workshop and office, whilst I strive to be tidy and organised the chaos always creeps back. I've just ordered that book!....heres to a clear and serene 2010! cheers Amanda (in her sick bed not making anything!)
A great way to look at things....i walked into my studio this morning, took one look at the mess and got the laptop out instead, i'm going to have a good clear up and sort out now, and try and keep up with it. Hope you have a good week!
Probably the most important thing that was said to me in grad school was during a seminar with professionals from other media. Scott Bellville, a painting instructor at UGA told us that before sitting down to work creatively he would do things he called "priming the will". This meant that he would do what ever was required to put himself in the frame of mind conducive to making his art, where there were no obvious hindrances to working creatively. This could mean anything from a cup of coffee, NPR in the background, small sketches done first, what ever helps. Not that you can't make great art starting out cold, but if you control your environment to avoid distractions, where things are set up to flow smoothly, you have at least given yourself every advantage for working successfully. There are good habits and probably some bad habits in all our processes. The important thing is to recognize what works and what doesn't for you. Sounds like a clean wheel and warm water would work for me as well. Good luck, and have some fun!
i wish i could keep things neat but after 50 years you just have to admit to yourself that you're not that kind of person. the concepts you mention seem very close to the zen approach and i think they are to be used in all situations. whenever i visit euan craig's blog, i'm reminded of this mindset... although it seems very difficult in practice.
There is a certain of chaos when things start to seem irritating, you know?