Working with clay is a metaphoric experience. Both you and the clay are constantly changing. Clay has a memory, every touch, every push, pull and manipulation is retained in the clay whatever emotion you are feeling is expressed into it.
This medium is one of my most favourite to work with, art is very therapeutic but clay has a way of calming anyone who interacts with it, as it massages your finger tips it releases built up tensions calming even the most energetic individual.
When creating a specific piece, your surroundings impact the clay. Weather has a dramatic effect, hot days make it dry very fast and on cold ones it becomes a little temperamental. Your current emotional state also plays a part in your final piece. All these factors need to be considered when planning a project as everything will determine the outcome.
Clay, being a direct connection to earth grounds you and absorbs a part of you whilst becoming a piece of art. I have seen it time and again. You’ll have an idea of what you want to create but so will the clump of clay in front of you, together you have to find a way to bring your concept to life. You need to learn how to manipulate the clay, listen to it and find a rhythm between the two of you. Once you both meld, that is when the transformation and magic takes place.
