Living in New Mexico , it really was inevitable.
Though I told myself I would never acquiesce and do certain things like native New Mexicans - including entering buildings through the left door (as opposed to the conventional right one), making turns without signals, and accepting being two or three minutes late for everything (which pales in comparison to the obligatory "5 to 10 minute" manana complex most people here embrace) - I never saw myself becoming an artist. But then, it happened.
Though I told myself I would never acquiesce and do certain things like native New Mexicans - including entering buildings through the left door (as opposed to the conventional right one), making turns without signals, and accepting being two or three minutes late for everything (which pales in comparison to the obligatory "5 to 10 minute" manana complex most people here embrace) - I never saw myself becoming an artist. But then, it happened.
Here I am incising a piece of clay in the museum studio.
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It's funny... in grammar school I was always winning contests (including the coveted "First Place" award for the Hyde Park Central School District's annual fire prevention poster contest one year), as well as usually producing some of the better art among my classmates. At some point, however - in ninth grade, I would argue - I became more interested in the competitive FDR High "class ranking system" and grew obsessed with grades (as opposed to learning HOW to think I instead MEMORIZED scores of now useless facts and figures and became a nervous wreck), and dropped all interest in art. Paradoxically, my sister pursued her artistic endeavors, while also placing quite high in her class rank, and she has proven that one can be both an artist and an academic success.
Enough reminiscing about the days of yore - back to pottery class. The first class (June 7), I spent 2.5 hours making a tiny bowl, underplate, and some stringy noodles to fill it. When I placed it on the drying rack, I saw little difference between my piece and that of the 5 year olds who produce comparable work daily at the very same tables in the very same classroom. Regardless of my initial insecurity, I realized I had enjoyed a wonderful 2.5 hours during which I spent very little time thinking about work, money, annoying people in my life, dieting, etc... instead, I focused on my hands' manipulation of the material, the organic smell of the clay, and building camaraderie with my fellow fledgling ceramicists.
The following week, I missed class due to an obligatory last-minute strategic planning session for the cultural services department.
I was surprised at how well this little critter turned out.
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One of Grandpa Albertson's many vessels.
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I will keep you all updated as I progress during my summer ceramics course.
Any special requests for Christmas gifts handcrafted by me?