I always knew that clay had magical powers. I have experienced it and grown from it. And so, if you find yourself absently caressing a pot someday, you may notice a quiet, subtle sense of peace and balance within. Relax and enjoy the feeling - let yourself experience the magic.
I always knew that, for me, clay had magical powers. From the very beginning, it could transport me away to another place. And, over time, the power of the clay directed me and I learned how to understand its magic so that I could transform a lifeless mound into a piece of art. And as my pots grew and evolved so did I - I began to feel my spirit settle down, unwind and balance itself.
It wasn't until I started teaching that I began to understand that this magical power held true for everyone who touched it. I have watched my students become enchanted with a drive to "make the magic work". But it was more than the desire to create a pot. I began to notice a transformation in the students themselves.
It wasn't until I started in-depth study of the human spirit and emotions that I fully learned the didactic relationship between me, as a teacher and later, as a therapist, and the clay. The clay helped me to discover inner talents that I had which helped to put people at ease. The clay had helped me to evolve to new directions in my professional life.
And it wasn't until I really looked within that I learned how the energy put into a pot is a permanent gift to all that encounter it. For together, the maker and medium can embed their magic into a piece that can resonate with balance, tranquility and healing. I have since learned that this is true of all forms of art.
As they worked, my students often began to talk about their problems. As they relaxed with the calming, non-threatening spin of the wheel, they started to release stress, and soon they were feeling better. They learned to appreciate and take delight in their talents in clay. It did not matter what their work of art looked like - for it was the experience of relaxing, trusting and letting go of their daily stresses that they saw in their pots.
