Melinda Chan

Here are photos of my ceramics pieces. I can't believe it took me five weeks to create these small misshapen items.

The class was too short to get in enough instruction and practice. I think the intention was that you would find the time during open studio hours to go in and practice, but I couldn't find time except after class.

It was a nice break away from screen time to work on building something so tangible. You really put yourself into every step of the process, from prepping the clay to get it ready to be worked on, to creating it on the wheel, trimming it, and then finally glazing it.

The process of creating a completed piece is very long when you include time for drying and something can always go wrong along the way.  This forces me to slow down and ease up on my control freak tendencies.

I feel like I've only scratched the service in terms of learning the basics, so I'm going to continue taking classes this summer. Hopefully coming into again with a little background behind me will help.

Recently visited the library and browsed the shelf for some creative inspiration. How fun it was to pick books that I like without any regard for price. I do need to consider how much space I have in my backpack and to transport the books back home with me on public transportation,  though, so I can't get too wild.

Sometimes, it's best that one doesn't know exactly what one is getting into. That was the case with me last week when I participated in a free clown master class. I signed up a while ago thinking it would be interesting to get a refresher on clowning and see how a different teacher approaches clowning concepts.

When I arrived for the class, I learned that among the other participants were some acting instructors and professional actors. I was glad I didn't know that ahead of time because I may have been too intimidated to sign up.

I was tired the next day but it was a good experience. It was nice having a mini clown reunion with a some of my former classmates and experience different exercises that reinforce basic clown concepts like play and endless possibilities. It took me a while to warm up to the class and I wish I were more fearless about jumping in to take part in the exercises, but I'm still proud that I signed up for the class.

Sometimes, it pays not to overthink something and just do it.

Just some photos from my ceramics class. Today was the last day of throwing on the wheel. We are in the process of trimming which is when you clean up the bottom of the bowl/pot, remove excess class, and create a rimmed foot if you like.

I didn't have much time so I couldn't create foot for most of my pieces. Next week we should start glazing. Overall, this has been a rush of a class. You really can't learn much without spending extra time outside of class. Also, with so much cleanup involved, it takes up much of the time, especially because I have to do it twice, once from the classroom where the class takes place and then again after I move to the open studio area.

Two more weeks left!

I may have mentioned in a previous post that I'm working through the Artist's Way program which tries to help one connect with one's creative self.

One of the core things you do as part of the weekly program is to go on an "artist date", which is something that you do for yourself to treat your inner artist to some creative inspiration. It doesn't need to be anything extravagant or expensive, just something that interests you.

For my last artist date, I decided to visit a party supply store. The last time I visited this store was as a senior on the prom committee at school. I happened to be in the area doing jury duty so I decided to drop by for a visit during my lunch break.

I had forgotten about all the things they sell there. Artificial flowers, party supplies, holiday decor, you name it. It was a great artist date, seeing all the different items on display. Totally novel.

I ended up buying some paper tulip cutouts to place under the dining room table. They remind of my childhood when teachers would decorate for the holidays with cutouts of pilgrims, pumpkins, bunny rabbits, and Santa Claus heads.

Nice, I got in an artist date and some decor to spruce up the space!