I first took a ceramics class at about age 9 at our Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bethesda, Maryland. I was entranced with the earthy and messy reality of molding and shaping the clay, and felt like this was the best few hours I had ever spent. I remember making a plaque in clay of the sun and the moon, a bas relief in many colors. I loved that wall hanging, and my mom had it in her house for decades.
But I was only allowed to take the class once, so many other kids were waiting. So I did not get to handle clay for about 5 decades. I tried again once in my 30's at Glen Echo, but with the pressure of 3 kids and many community obligations, I didn't follow up. It was just not the right time.
My creative career chugged along with teaching, art journaling, making art and having some shows, and publishing some books. But nothing felt like the perfect path, so I finally landing on other ways to earn a living with a hodge podge of odd jobs, including book design, tech support, scheduling for a therapy practice, cataloging wildlife, teaching ESL to Chinese students, and even a very long week working as a boy scout leader for inner city kids. My collage work and painting and mixed media was a fulfilling outlet for my creativity, but there was always a sense I needed to achieve, to create fame and fortune from this creative work. I often felt depressed about my lack of sales or achievement. I even got signed with an art agent, that to this day, has had about two licensing sales for me.
Finally, a few years ago, here in Colorado, I had the space in my life to return to ceramics, and I signed up for the Ceramics class at Golden Community Center, where I received excellent instruction form Chris Murphy. Oh the joy! This was definitely following my bliss.I sometimes wonder how my life might have been different if I had found ceramics sooner. Neither my high school or the three institutions of higher education I attended offered ceramics classes.
So finally here I am, at age 63, so totally in the flow of enjoyment of creation that I think I found my calling. When I am at the wheel throwing, or trimming, or at my desk decorating or glazing, time stops, I am in the flow, and even the mishaps and mistakes and misfortunes that accompany ceramics don't deter me.
I have a little pottery shed that I love, and being out there is the best part of my day.I don't expect to make money doing this, I don't expect fame or accolades. I just know I can spend the last few decades of my creative life doing this thing that fills me with joy.
I wish for everyone this in life: to find the thing that brings you bliss, to follow it with focus and dedication, and to share this joy with others.
What a blessing to have finally landed in a creative endeavor that feels so right, without the pressure to sell or achieve.
