Thursday, November 5, 2015

As The Wheel Turns: Turning it back on.


I sat down at the wheel yesterday and threw. It's the first time I've sat there in almost two months. It seems crazy that I haven't thrown in that long, because I love to throw. So why would I stay away from the wheel for so long?

Because other wheels were turning in my life.

One wheel was the promotional wheel. As the pr and media person for my open studio tour group, I've spent many, many long hours on my computer spinning out blogs, pitching stories and posting on social media.  The reward was seeing so many artists on the tour get covered in a variety of local media and social media.  They had a busy tour weekend with lots of visitors.  I'm so glad for everyone on the tour!

Another wheel was the exhibition wheel. In addition to my own open studios, I had three gallery shows in the last two months. Two shows go through December, and I'm very glad to be a part of it.  A new goal I've had for my work was to add a holiday/gallery show.  And this year, it seems the universe has delivered!

Yet another wheel was the family wheel. In September, a new child entered the world and became part of my family.  This sweet, little baby girl is my first grandchild. I can't believe how wonderful it is to hold her in my arms. Watch her yawn and smile and, yes, frown.

Even with all these wonderful things spinning through my life, I knew it was time to throw some clay on the bat and get my hands dirty. And I loved it. What's even better, I think, is I'd been away long enough that I'd forgotten some of my old throwing blocks and re-discovered just how much I love it. 

I threw a few mugs. Then I took out the last chunk of a new clay I've been trying out and threw it on the wheel.  It had bubbles and wobbles and bumps but I threw it anyway. Instead of getting frustrated with it, I found myself laughing.

If the mugs and bowl turn out well. Great. If they don't, I still had a great time.  

And that's really the point, and one, I tend to forget time and time again. It's the process of throwing and rolling and painting and forming and seeing and feeling that really gets my creative wheels turning.  On and on and on.

2 comments:

Terry Grant said...

I did not know you had a grandchild-- how wonderful for you and your family. She is beautiful and I know she will bring such joy to your life! The best thing in life are grandbabies! Congratulations!

Susan Gallacher-Turner said...

Thank you, Terry ! It's been such a joy to see her, hold her and watch her smile! It's amazing how quickly I forgot and then have re-discovered the wonder only babies can bring to the world.