David Woof on sat 2 jan 10
Hi Linda=3D2C There are many methods/techniques for centering clay. If y=
ou=3D
r current way is exacerbating the pain from your hurt back there is probabl=
=3D
y a more efficient way to be doing it anyway.
Pete Voulkos used to hug the clay into his big bear/bare (physically he was=
=3D
like a bear with ape arms) chested cleavage to get the clay moving.=3D20
However you may prefer an elevated wheel and a standing "butterfly hands" p=
=3D
osition where you can lock your elbows into your pelvic/hip area and bring =
=3D
the energy from your center of gravity=3D2C using body weight instead of re=
ly=3D
ing on arm and shoulder strength which calls for much more support from low=
=3D
er back muscles.
=3D20
Also working from the 9:00 o'clock side on a wheel turning counter clockwis=
=3D
e brings the clay to you and requires less far reach tug and pull strength.
=3D20
Understanding the physical dynamics involved in your body in relation to th=
=3D
e dynamics of the revolving clay mass will help you find the physical solut=
=3D
ion and be more back friendly even when the back is healed. One can even c=
=3D
enter one handed if you get it right.
=3D20
I think Carolyn's words re starting beginners out with hand manipulation is=
=3D
a good tried and true entry into the basic character of clay. First day =
=3D
have them roll out 50 glaze test tiles=3D2C and then with minimum tech advi=
ce=3D
turn them loose to "play" in the mud.
=3D20
They will be passionately hooked and the rest of the academics and technica=
=3D
l development to come can be built from these early non threatening gains i=
=3D
n confidence and success.
=3D20
Incidentally=3D2C foot wedging is a much overlooked easy on the body wedgin=
g =3D
method. I believe any pot worth the time to make should come from freshly w=
=3D
edged clay. Wedging brings a vitality to the clay that translates to the v=
=3D
itality of the vessel if thrown from a place of vitality within us. Barefo=
=3D
ot wedging also becomes a dance which oxygenates our being and frees our sp=
=3D
irit. and=3D2C and=3D2C and=3D2C... I won't get into reflexology=3D2C chakr=
as=3D2C qu=3D
antum anything=3D2C etc etc... I believe that with such a sensuous materia=
l =3D
as clay one should be as innocently childlike bare and naked in spirit and =
=3D
body in the studio as just keeps us out of jail=3D2C and no I am not follow=
in=3D
g in the foot steps of Soldner but he makes a point re total involvement=3D=
2C=3D
passion and honesty in clay.
=3D20
And Linda don't center for your students=3D2C explain as you demonstrate=3D=
2C w=3D
hat parts of the hands are doing what=3D2C from where and to is the energy =
di=3D
rected=3D2C then ask them to surrender their hands into yours and show them=
h=3D
ow it feels when it happens. Eye sight gets in the way=3D2C I have them clo=
se=3D
their eyes to help them learn to feel. Folks have no business making a "p=
=3D
ot" until they can find their own center=3D2C understand the dynamics of ce=
nt=3D
er and thus can center.
=3D20
One must be centered and stay with the pot's center all the way until the p=
=3D
ot is finished.
=3D20
Which is why that centering device being touted and marketed is so destruct=
=3D
ive as a teaching aid for the next generation!!! ((Short rant like curse:=
=3D
May the ill begotten monetary gains from selling that crap leak thru your=
=3D
pockets like slightly over watered deflocculated slip!!!))
=3D20
Even when one throws off center one must "know" where center is for the ves=
=3D
sel to have the lively grace that speaks of life and masterful love and han=
=3D
dling of the medium.
=3D20
Best regards on your teaching Linda=3D2C keep seeking=3D2C observing=3D=
2C thi=3D
nking=3D2C learning=3D2C asking=3D2C always the student yourself. We who t=
each h=3D
ave the privilege of learning more than the student and the more willingly =
=3D
we try and the more we humbly and unselfishly give the more comes back.
=3D20
David Woof=3D2C waking up in sunny Clarkdale=3D2C Arizona.... Just 3:00 =
AM b=3D
ack from winter break on the Southwest coast of Oregon where my sweetie has=
=3D
palm trees living in her yard and moss swaying from the trees. Grilling f=
=3D
resh Salmon on charring cedar planks!!! Organic Oregon wine=3D2C crab boats=
c=3D
oming in and surf crashing. Now this morning=3D2C adjusting back to this=
=3D2C=3D
also beautiful=3D2C High Northern Arizona Desert.
________________________________________________________________________
2a. Re: bad back
Posted by: "Carolyn Boeri" claychi_04@VERMONTEL.NET=3D20
Date: Thu Dec 31=3D2C 2009 3:38 pm ((PST))
I think Linda=3D2C
It may be a good opportunity to get them really acquainted with the clay=3D=
2C
some pitch pots=3D2C tiles=3D2C beads=3D2C egyptian clay=3D2C coils=3D2C ro=
lling slab=3D
s=3D2C using
tools=3D2C having them be inventive and bring in things they think would ma=
ke
impressions in the clay. Wedging. Making their own stamps. Wheel work ought
to come way after handbuilding even though a lot of students are keen to ge=
=3D
t
right on the wheel=3D2C I think they do better starting out without one. De=
si=3D
gn
work=3D2C planning=3D2C drawing=3D2C discussing their expectations=3D2C hel=
p them f=3D
ill up
their notebooks with safety issues. Making cardboard and duct tape forms fo=
=3D
r
handbuilding is good. Paper folding helps. I am sure you know all this=3D2C=
h=3D
ow
old are the students. They could make some test tiles and play around with
glazes=3D2C applying=3D2C slip trailing=3D2C brush making....Japanese brush
strokes...Let us know what you end up doing.
Carolyn=3D2C on a snowy evening=3D2C the day dad died 22 yrs ago.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Mccaleb"
To:
Sent: Thursday=3D2C December 31=3D2C 2009 2:35 PM
Subject: bad back
> I will be starting with new students this January. I have hurt my back an=
=3D
d
> can hardly center my own things=3D2C much less the beginners. Does anyone=
h=3D
ave
> a suggestion?
> Thank you=3D2C
> Linda
=3D20
=3D20
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