I love this. Process writing is such an interesting and meditative genre, with so much room for insight and introspection.
I took a ceramics class in college and I loved playing with clay and making things. What I didn’t love was the critique, the grading, the feeling like my things that I loved weren’t good enough. I didn’t love feeling like there were two tiers of students: the art majors and the others. I didn’t love that as an other I was less valued. I didn’t live that I was an outsider and that I wasn’t worth the time. I felt like an intruder instead of a valued guest. I felt like my taste didn’t matter only the teacher’s taste. I felt like my pleasure in the process was less important than the product.
I think I’d like to take a class again where there’s no grade, no pressure, just the pleasure of losing myself in the clay and the process is allowed more important than the product. I’d like to be free to play.
Wow. I didn’t know I had so many strong feelings in there about ceramics! That was kinda cathartic!
I am sorry you had such a bad experience at college - it's a shame what was emphasised was the end product and the grade instead of the process and the creativity. And the fun, the enjoyment! "Free to play" is exactly right!
I hope you find a clay workshop that will provide you with the space and the opportunity to play - I would invite you to one of mine, but I am guessing you are not nearby 😁. Or just get some clay and give yourself permission to play!
I am honoured my post brought out all those strong feelings - thank you so much for reading.
This was so interesting to read through the first stages of the creation of a mug. And I love your narrative voice Sara, soothing and conversational - such an enjoyable read. I got to the end and I’m hoping there will be a part two, for the next stages please! 💛
This made me smile! I’m teaching a croissant class next week and I know exactly how this goes.😊 And that last part is how I feel about my baking. Love, hard work, all worth it.💕✨
I love this. Process writing is such an interesting and meditative genre, with so much room for insight and introspection.
I took a ceramics class in college and I loved playing with clay and making things. What I didn’t love was the critique, the grading, the feeling like my things that I loved weren’t good enough. I didn’t love feeling like there were two tiers of students: the art majors and the others. I didn’t love that as an other I was less valued. I didn’t live that I was an outsider and that I wasn’t worth the time. I felt like an intruder instead of a valued guest. I felt like my taste didn’t matter only the teacher’s taste. I felt like my pleasure in the process was less important than the product.
I think I’d like to take a class again where there’s no grade, no pressure, just the pleasure of losing myself in the clay and the process is allowed more important than the product. I’d like to be free to play.
Wow. I didn’t know I had so many strong feelings in there about ceramics! That was kinda cathartic!
Clay can have this effect on people!
I am sorry you had such a bad experience at college - it's a shame what was emphasised was the end product and the grade instead of the process and the creativity. And the fun, the enjoyment! "Free to play" is exactly right!
I hope you find a clay workshop that will provide you with the space and the opportunity to play - I would invite you to one of mine, but I am guessing you are not nearby 😁. Or just get some clay and give yourself permission to play!
I am honoured my post brought out all those strong feelings - thank you so much for reading.
This was so interesting to read through the first stages of the creation of a mug. And I love your narrative voice Sara, soothing and conversational - such an enjoyable read. I got to the end and I’m hoping there will be a part two, for the next stages please! 💛
Thank you, Emily! I am so pleased to hear it was not a drag to read - I wasn't sure how a step-by-step would be taken.
Part two in the works, promised!
the way you did it was brilliant Sara. I don't know if I will ever make another pot, let alone a mug, but it was a great read nonetheless!
Loved reading this step-by-step! Nice job! Best wishes to you and your classes!
Thank you, Alford! I am always very nervous beforehand but then I always enjoy these workshops. I'm only just starting... we'll see how it goes.
This made me smile! I’m teaching a croissant class next week and I know exactly how this goes.😊 And that last part is how I feel about my baking. Love, hard work, all worth it.💕✨
Good luck with your class! I wish I could attend... I keep wanting to make croissants but always chicken out...
Thank you for reading, Rachel!
Adorei! É um curso mas com as reflexões do professor sobre a própria lição, o que raramente acontece. Afinal, davas uma excelente professora! 😘