learning to throw

I am half way through a wheel throwing class. It's not my first time trying the wheel, it's maybe the third, I have honestly lost count. But thanks to my instructor Jaki, it's most definitely the most successful wheel throwing class I've done. Things are making a little more sense. Don't get me wrong though, throwing is wildly harder. I mess up about 50% of the time but the fact I've been able to make anything is a miracle to me! One particular piece i was trying my best to pull walls, move up, instead of out. And I was finally getting it. everything was clicking. I was so proud of myself. Then it came time to take the piece off the wheel, I was giddy with glee at how cute, but tall the piece was. And then, a slip of the hand and it had fallen and smushed onto the pan. I was devastated. I was heartbroken. I couldn't believe my successful little piece was gone, in an instant, in a split second. That's when I remembered why I had given up wheel throwing before.

It wasn't that it didn't make sense to me, I mean it didn't, but whenever I did create something it somehow got ruined. You see, I think wheel throwing is a test of control. You can control your hands and how much water but if you're new, those factors are wonky as hell, and unlike hand building you feel less in control at the wheel. I was devastated by my piece, but despite it being smushed, and not perfect, I picked it up and tried to salvage it. I lost most of its height but I was able to keep it, despite it being wildly different from its original, pre-smushed state. I ended up having fun with the piece, letting myself relish in the loss of control and created a tiny pitcher, or tea milker if you will. We shall see how it turns out after a few fires. But what I've learned is the respect I hold for throwers has grown - the years of failure and perseverance they have gone through is a testament to themselves and their art. I think I still favor handbuilding but this wheel throwing stuff is becoming a lot more fun once you let go of control.