I dissolve my porcelain clay in large buckets, breaking it up, stirring and fussing with it for days. And same thing again after adding paper. Paper in clay allows me to create stronger yet thinner and finer creations. Especially when using porcelain, it has opened my realms of possibilities into all kinds of wonders: from creating the pages for my published book illustrated in clay (The Demise of Noshud Hafta – none left so can’t send you off to a link.. time for a reprint!) to translucent sails for ships to … well.. what I thought was going to be mugs, but are, in fact, bliss pots and pissed pots.
Truth is, it was a fleeting thought to create mugs. I learned 20 years ago not to preplan my clay. I learned not to write ideas down because all I’d ever be doing is writing down ideas.. which is silly because once I show up to the clay, something completely different always emerges.
(I have a whole magical memoir of this creative process of grief, faeries, and mud. I think it’s a worthy read. I continue to be thrilled that I published my story, scary as it was to do.
getBook.at/BeyondAllImaginings )
But that’s not the point right now. I pour my mixture onto plaster bats where the clay becomes ‘sheets’ to create with. First sheet off the bat? Not a mug. Huh. Seemed like a good idea, but instead strange sacks evolved.. with bolts, and belts, and faerie prints, and some with tags that say “Bliss.” One that says “Pissed.”
So , as it turns out, the Bliss Pots, highlighted in 24 kt gold because I love gold, are a place to tuck your inspired stuff – like brushes or pencils or crayons or notes reminding you of your vision, dreams, inspired self, and even more important, to honour how much you rock as you are right now.
But Pissed??
That now common phrase “Follow your Bliss” is a very wise direction. Once a phrase become cliche, though, people often don’t stop to even think what they would mean for them. Whatever gives you a sense of Bliss, do that. No. Seriously. Do That! I hear all the thoughts in your head telling you why you can’t.. but work with me here. Even if you give yourself a few minutes to contemplate the possibility (instead of the often instant, “impossibility”) you are taking a grand step in live the full you. We have not had a lifetime telling us to honour our bliss… reminders and tiny steps can help us keep choosing the Bliss Path. Reminders with gold trim are especially fun, my pottery self tells me.
But think about it, Pissed is the same. Think about issues that you often find yourself ranting about. Really spend time with them. They, too, give you clues to what matters to you. Perhaps they have a powerful message for you? Can you do something to change the pissed things? Get them out of your life? Make the world a little better by addressing them?
Clay does this for me. Reveals philosophies and messages every time I show up to it.
(Update as this was an older unpublished post: the blissed and pissed pots are long gone. I think it’s time to play in clay more often again!)
Musings of Janet L Whitehead 