Issue #197 - The Spaces in Between

Firework Clay

Oct 25, 2024

It’s Friday afternoon and I’ve just got some time between drop offs and pickups to have a cup of tea and do a bit of writing. It is autumn or fall, the colours are dazzling, fiery orange, crimson red, and rich earthy browns, nature’s own fireworks festival.

Another week that seemed to pass by quickly with lots to organize for the months ahead. We are in a holding pattern, just enough to get on with, but waiting too for what’s ahead.

I hope that you’re okay, that life is treating you well. Thank you for the notes I received this week, mostly about the reading books article. That said, it’s always nice to dip into a conversation about something that you’ve read or seen.

Stephan

Spaces to Connect

I finally booked myself a pottery class, noticing that one of our local studios, Pittsburgh Pottery is holding saturday classes that you can just pay and turn up to, that can be used as an intro, or for others to finish pieces or learn a new technique; I turned up a novice, not having held clay between my fingers since all those years ago in Mrs Griffiths’ ceramics class when I would have been about 12 or 13 years old.

This time I sat at the wheel and slapped on a chunk of clay, and followed along while my instructor demonstrated. It took a few moments to center the clay, and then with my hands, I pressed and coned, using my fingers to turn a pot. Everything in pottery is a pot, this is what potters make, whether its a cup, or saucer, plate, bowl or something more complicated, a vase, teapot, mug or anything else I’m listin; because these are all the things I’d like to make one day.

It was a lovely feeling working on the wheel, and of course I made so many mistakes, too much water, not enough, too much pressure, not enough; and with each moment finding confidence and realising the mountain of learning ahead. I managed to make a couple of bowls and flatten out a plate, not entirely by design. A few days later, I returned to trim the pots and they’ll be bisque fired so that I can glaze them next time I’m in the studio.

I realise that these pots are the kids drawings of this new journey, but you have to keep those early efforts if only to look back on them one day. I can already see parallels to some of my other making efforts, with printmaking, and painting it really is about finding moments in process, being entirely present with the thing that you’re doing, noticing how slight adjustments and movements affect what is happening. It is wonderful, I love it, here we go.

Life Lessons

We are less than ten days from the election, and it all seems incredibly stressful. There’s an overwhelming sense of dread and nervousness, mixed with hope and belief, that it’s clear that everyone, everyone has the jitters, and we all know that this is only the beginning. It is a stark choice for America, and there will be great anguish on the losing side, and we know that if it is one particular side, then there is also the threat of violence. This is where the country finds itself, on the one hand, setting out a vision for changes that is inclusive, that seeks equity at least; and the other that will usher darkness, that promotes division, desires inequality because that’s what they believe their religion says should happen.

The rest of the world is watching, because the result will cause ripples throughout, from Gaza, and the occupied lands, Ukraine, and its neighboring states, and ultimately the empowerment of authoritarian forces, dictators, and so-called strong men, who are in fact weak, worried, and insecure, so surrounding themselves with power and money, and enough people to make sure they stay in power.

drawing exercise inspired by Ivan Brunetti - by Stephan

I hope in a few weeks time I’ll write about the America that I know the most, the one that welcomes strangers, takes time to learn about the world; generous people, who are just trying to live their lives in kindness, making, creating and sharing. These are the folks that I’ve come across most, it’s a blessing of sorts, and I know that they are nervous, because the result shouldn’t be a referendum on the way you live your life, when people seek to impose their values, their closed view of the world on others who don’t live like that. I can’t vote, but I can encourage others to, either way to form a decision, weigh up the candidates, interrogate the nature and motive of each, and then go and cast a ballot.

Lost and Found

This lovely talk by designer and illustrator Erin Jang, which speaks to playful design, and the importance of play in the creation of new work…of course you knew I’d love this.

I’m reading By my hands by Florian Gatsby (affiliate link) which was staring at me from a shelf in Mt. Lebanon library, and is a wonderful potter’s biography of learning about their craft. The early part talking about going to a Waldorf-Steiner school is fascinating, and although I knew a little bit about the origin of these schools, there’s some lovely insight into the pedagogy that these institutions are centered around, I’m a little more squeamish about spiritual side, but the idea of school having dance, and art amongst core subjects is fascinating.

Finally, some music for you, for this week it had to be a bit of Cate Le Bon throwing pots.

Thank you

You find yourself in unusual places, this week it was a pottery studio, and I have to say I liked who I found, calm, meditative, happy, even though my posture is poor and I’ll probably hurt my spine cramped over the wheel, but just like every other aspect it’ll be addressed, and I’m excited, genuinely to start this journey.

This weekend is the last for kid’s sports, we have tournaments and the pizza, and I’m hoping to get some reading done, and of course I’ll be raking up leaves.

Thank you again to those who leave likes and comments, they are high fives and hugs across the internet, and I appreciate them very much.