faux pottery, real art . . . real awareness

by fritzg · No Comments ·

Today my workplace had a spiritual retreat where we slowed down and painted our own plates for the office. We went to a cute little place in Silver Spring where we got to pick out our plates and paint them in preparation for glazing and firing.

Having done pottery, I was disappointed the plates were from a mold and I was not able to choose my glaze (they use a clear one at this place, the emphasis is on the painting).

However, after I “quickly” finished my two plates, I was pleased with the experience. It was fun to be with colleagues and watch them embrace the artist within and work on their chosen projects. I found myself to be the constant editor (read critic), offering advice. LoL, me, offering advice on art, what a joke.

I was also pleased with how I dealt with the painting. I really don’t like it, but I let it go, and did what I could and what I thought was pleasing, and in the end was content with my effort and with my mark of art.

I need to do this more, specifically more pottery. I was surprised that my experience with pottery gave me a new perspective on what I “painted” today. It may have been “faux pottery”, but it was art nonetheless, and while I was no Van Gogh, I did what I liked, and made art the way I know how.

Each of us also slowed down just enough so that we were relaxed with one another instead of living our busy work lives.

Workplace retreats are important, just as personal retreats are. I’m thankful I work somewhere that recognizes that.

Tags: awareness · pottery

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