My Favorite Times in the Cycle of Clay's Drying....

All of my sculptures that involve throwing are made from recycled clay (I receive this, free, from a production potter, who is just happy to have someone use it).  The clay and I go through the whole cycle together.  Scraps of dried clay get tossed in a bucket.  Slip from the throwing bucket is added, along with a sprinkling of fine grog for added strength. 

I like to simply watch the transformation: from brittle pieces, to an amorphous mush.
And how delightful then, to scoop it up, hearing the swamp-like squelches and watery flow as the clay glops get dropped, scoop by scoop onto plaster bats until it's just just so...

Taking time to do things...
Wedging it up, kneading until smooth and without bubbles.

Then of course the throwing, shaping, sculpting.  The crises of encouraging parts to come together and stay together.  What will come of this? 

Then somehow eventually something does come of it.  The thing has taken on a shape and attitude and has something all its own to say.

At which point I think I come to my favorite part, what we ceramic people call the "leather hard" stage of clay in its progression to drying out completely.  The structure has its intrinsic integrity.  No need to rush or reach for props and wads of clay support.  The statement of it is more or less made.  Then I can look and look; seeing a stray bit of clay here or there; adding, subtracting in small amounts.  There is, visually, still a remnant of moisture in the clay that gives it a look of depth and "being".   Things can still be done, but they can be done quietly, with some contemplation and relaxation.