Mary V Leither on thu 15 feb 07
Part of the joy I feel in working in clay is the connection and
understanding that exists between all potters. No other art medium allows
such a rich connection that transcends time and culture. I sometimes feel
that no technique, or form is truly ever new and but merely re- discovered
and re-invented. Any knowledge that is shared has been learned from a
history and wealth of experience that no one person can claim complete
ownership.
When I teach, and as I share my experience and methods I feel I am part of
a continuum and I am sharing bits of history. It is an honor and a
priviledge. As far as students "copying" my work, It is only natural that
they are going to be influenced at first by those things that I create,
demonstrate and often pieces of my finished work.
I feel that my job as a teacher is to help the student develop sufficient
skills to be able to explore their creativity. In time, students will
find a voice, or a style will find them, that best suits their personal
aesthetic, but first they need to develop a vocabulary of clay techniques.
| |
|
