3/5/2024 0 Comments Potty Mouthed PotterI tend to curse a lot when I am creating. Specifically, when I am hand-building. As I’m working out the structure of a sculpture, getting the clay to go where I want, or finessing a texture or curve, I have a specific intention of what I want to happen, and if it doesn’t, I tend to have a vocal outburst. I realize this may be disruptive in a community space, so I need to work on that. It can be alarming to hear someone exclaim, “C**ks***er!” suddenly. My fellow artists may think something drastic has gone wrong and it takes their attention from their own work to me, to see if I need tending of some kind. Not fair. In my defense, it’s not directed at anyone but myself, and it’s not even meant in a negative way most of the time. As I’ve considered this “habit” and the purpose it serves, I realize that it’s likely a release of energetic “charge”. As I work, I’m quite intent and focused, and I’m seeing the piece a couple of steps ahead of where I am as I work to create it. Suddenly, I make a “misstep”, and something goes off. It takes me out of my concentration and focus and an obstacle is thrown in my path. What do I do? I react and expel that energy in the form of an expletive. Sometimes, if a piece is collapsing for example, I do need to react quickly, but other times, I COULD take a step back, breathe and choose how I desire to RESPOND rather than react.
This is reflective of how I can react/respond to obstacles that appear suddenly in life. Sometimes, I react as though a true crisis is at hand. I can then, assess the situation for its factual impact, and respond accordingly. This is a trauma response. This is, “Oh my God! I am under threat! I need to do something, quick!”. I have in fact, worked a great deal with how I respond to life’s “obstacles” so that I don’t instantly react as if the sky is falling, but last night, I realized that this pattern is still playing out in my creative process. This is why I love the creative process, with clay in particular because it is so visceral for me. It’s three-dimensional, its formative, it’s tactile, and the process of moving creative energy/ideas from my imagination to physical form feels so primary. My yoga practice allowed me to discover things about myself as I encountered resistance or felt challenged by a particular posture, or breath practice. What about this posture is challenging? What am I resisting? What happens if I back off and approach this with modification, or does it feel ok to stay and face the edge of discomfort so I can move through? Am I repeating only what is comfortable? Am I avoiding certain practices altogether, and does that serve me? These are questions I asked myself as I found myself swearing like a sailor last night. What is this about? What is this telling me? Am I responding or reacting to a challenge, and how might I bring more mindfulness to this so I can choose how I desire to respond? Does this serve me? If so, how? Are you reacting or RESPONDING to your life’s challenges? What information are you gaining from that observation? What adjustments or modifications might you make so that you are responding from a place that serves you in a positive way? Or is your response serving you just as you need? I’d love to hear from you, and your experience with these musings from a foul-mouthed potter. Much love, Jane PS: I’d love to hear from you, and your experience with these musings from a foul-mouthed potter. Comment to let me know what's on your mind.
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