Waiting

Clay has taught me patience more than anything that I have done (even more than fishing).  Clay is all about waiting.  When I hurry I set myself up for more work.

When I am making clay some of the ingredients I can just dump the whole bag full into the mixer, other ingredients I have to add one scoop at a time. I have to allow each ingredient to mix thoroughly before adding the next. I can’t rush anything – it is the waiting thing.

I like the clay to have the right amount of moisture – too much, too soft, can’t throw a thing, too dry I have to work extra hard to move the clay, it’s the waiting thing.

If I rush a move when I am throwing – not allowing the clay move, things can get out of control quickly, it’s that waiting thing.

I throw pretty wet (I like that feel of the clay) so if I push it – trying to make the clay move to that really wet spot – I lose control of the clay in an instant. When I feel the control start to leave I will stop and take the pot off the wheel and set it aside to dry or take out the torch or heat gun. When I lose total control or if I don’t like where things are headed I’ll take the pot off the wheel and hang it upside down – allowing gravity to help re-center the pot while it dries to the point where I can work on it again. It’s that waiting thing.

When it comes time to trim it is all about waiting again, waiting for the clay to be the correct hardness. When the clay is too hard I really can’t trim anything. I need to interrupt right now to point out that the trimming process releases or completes the form that was thrown. A certain amount of clay needs to be left to help support a particular curve or an angle until the clay is firm enough to support its self. Trimming removes that extra clay. This extra clay not only hides the finale form but it is also where the weight is.  Back to the original thought – I have to wait for the clay to have correct hardness. Too hard I can’t trim; too soft I deform or alter the form. It’s a waiting thing.

Glazing has become a waiting game for me, I glaze the inside then wait for it to dry completely and then glaze the outside. Waiting. Firing the kiln takes all day, waiting – then there is the cool down - waiting

The biggest waiting thing - success…….