For me, July and August have been all about the intricate dance of creativity. I am devoting most of my waking hours to preparation for my October exhibition, and creating a new body of work involves a kind of total immersion that I can’t do any other way.
Dancing is an art-form that has eluded me all my life, and the metaphor reminds me that even at this stage, 22 years into my creative practice, there are seasons when I still feel like a beginner, awkwardly learning and re-learning the moves. It’s a dance where the steps go backwards into self-doubt and disappointment and forwards into excitement and exhilaration. Every single time I engage in this dance for an extended period of time I forget the steps and have to be reminded. Even though this is my 14th solo exhibition, even though I’ve taught thousands of students and seen the pattern and the dance steps repeat themselves throughout the human experience … I. Still. Forget.
This year I’ve added ceramics to my collection for the first time. (I’ve come out of the ceramics closet, so to speak.)
The thing about ceramics is that there is a fair level of certainty in what you are creating. You know the form and function of the vessel. You know, as you are making it, approximately the size and use it will have. Your creativity has a “shape” and also holds the delightful idea that this piece of art will be able to be used – to drink out of, or serve cheese on, or eat off, or hold flowers in – rather than merely looked at.
I start having a fair idea of how it will look in the end.
That is a distinctly different feeling to creating a painting, at least the kind of painting that I create. I begin my piece by introducing a fair bit of chaos into the canvas… and gradually, alter the balance, emphasis and overall composition such that chaos evolves into something pleasing, with varying levels of order in its appearance.
I start having absolutely NO idea of how it will look in the end!
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Just the other day, with a braveness that I didn’t actually feel, I made a pronouncement to my fellow potters in the studio, “placing work in the kiln is a great way to learn Detachment… to learn about letting go of outcomes!” They looked at me with surprise. Our chatter doesn’t usually extend to the existential metaphors within the process of making a pot, and instead tends to hover around learning the best way to join clay slabs, how to avoid uneven drying, and what techniques create the loveliest surface decoration.
But I said that because in ceramics, the kiln is the Big Unknown. Imagine placing something you’ve carefully made into an oven, and then heating it to 1200 degrees Celsius (twice). Let’s just say, each firing is an act of trust. Its a process of letting go and submitting your creation to the fiery depths, not knowing if it will survive the process. And even if it does survive, how will its appearance be altered?
In contrast, there is less drama in painting, and how the composition will look when it’s complete is the Big Unknown. Every layer works off the layer below it, but never removes the underlying layer. I trust and keep going.
The metaphors in both are rather poetic and beautiful.
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For me the beginning of the painting holds the excitement and colour and promise of a new relationship. It’s energising and floods with me joy as witness the serendipity and controlled chaos in the swirls and eddies of paint and water and texture.
As the painting progresses, a quieter relationship forms, reminiscent of the steadiness and warmth and familiarity of a stable, long-term human relationship. There are annoyances and challenges for sure, and sometimes, you want to just walk away (or punch them) … but if love and respect prevail, you go back, you work on the relationship, and beauty and structure emerge. The layers of paint and texture mingle and build on each other. Eventually, your heart fills with a kind of familiar surprise. This worked. Again.
Working with clay feels like the opposite. The first part, when the clay is wet and wild and slippery is terrain I just have to forge through. Keep going, keep going, you’ll get there. Clay demands your patience. It wants what it wants and it can’t be rushed. You have to wait til it’s at just the right stage of dryness before you can finesse it. This is when I relax into it, as I stroke and shape the vessel. Sometimes I carve into it, and leaves and lines in three dimensions emerge from the surface. It’s joyful and satisfying to feel their shapes and witness their emergence, perhaps something I’ve always wanted to have happen in my paintings, and cannot really accomplish on a canvas, no matter how much texture I introduce.
I first heard the idea that we can be ‘the architects of our own delight’ from designer and author, Ingrid Fetell Lee, in her uplifting, accessible and surprising book, Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness.
The idea of being the ‘architect of my own joy’ now feels empowering and attainable. It gives a new flavour to that intricate dance of creativity. The stumbles and missteps are still there, but I notice the joyful moments when the steps flow one to the next with a different awareness, one that has made me feel like I’m building an internal structure of joy, even as I build a new collection of work to share with you.
with love,
PS My 14th solo exhibition will be held over the last 2 weekends of October, when I have the honour of being one of 37 open studios for Art In the Hills 2023! I would love to see you there, in my home and studio perched above the forest, and share a cuppa, a chat, and a whole bunch of paintings and pots (the ones that survive the kiln!). More info here on all the artists www.mundaringhillsopenstudios.com
PS. I plan to resume teaching workshops in November 2023, so stay tuned for my updates on when they open for enrolment.
PPS. Thank you for reading my post! You can leave a comment on my post here, (scroll right down to the comments section). I truly love that you take the time, and read and reply them all.
Comments 36
Malini, It was lovely reading your blog & you never cease to amaze me with your creativity. I love that pottery is your next thing & I love the 2 pieces you photographed & yes you are spot on about the kiln, you never know if it will all go boom & you loose the lovely piece you created , or you will be smiling at the other end. Blessings Maxine xx
Author
Thank you Maxine! I hope to create more lovely pieces that survive the kiln, now that I’ve made a song and dance about it 🙂 Looking forward to having you come visit and check it all out, and thank you for your warm words and support as always. You are so kind.
Thanks Mal so much for your blog
Author
thank you for your support, Yvonne!x
I feel grateful you continue to keep stepping onto the dance floor with courage and vulnerability. Your blog makes me want to dance. Thanks for sharing your insights into your creative process.
I can’t wait to see the work you create, albeit from afar. I suspect it will delight!
Author
Oh thank you, that’s a first – fancy something I wrote making anyone want to dance, how delightful 🙂 I wish you could zip over from California and add your sparkle to my exhibition! Thank you Kerry, for your warm and kind words.xx
I absolutely loved reading this blog post Malini – such great metaphors and contrasts. A really fun read. Wishing you all the best for your exhibition in October, wish I was in Perth to come and see all your lovely artwork!
Author
Thank you Nadia, I really appreciate your kind words! And it would be fabulous to have you here – instead of in… where are you these days??? The US? Ecuador??? South Africa?? 🙂 Such an intrepid adventurer! much love x
Wow Mal you keep amazing me with your beautiful metaphors and expressions in words, about your processes and magnificent outcomes.
Keep going sista ❤️
Author
Awww such kind words, thank you! xx
I love the idea of being ‘architects of your own delight’. It’s empowering and leads one to find creative ways out of sadness. And can’t wait to see your pottery!
Author
Yes, that phrase is so empowering, and so evocative. It conjures up beautiful imagery, and we have Ingrid Fetell Lee to thank. I loved her book, ‘Joyful’.
Beautifully written piece, dear Mal. I love all your analogies/metaphors, especially this quote from you… “placing work in the kiln is a great way to learn Detachment… to learn about letting go of outcomes!”. So true… xx
Author
Thank you Zar, and I appreciate that you picked that phrase out, because it really is SO TRUE. Nothing like allowing one’s art to be ‘cooked’ to high temperatures to learn how to let go. Sometimes, life is kiln, sometimes, life is a beautiful garden 🙂 Thank you for your kind words too.
Looking forward to your exhibition and seeing all your creations. I feel like I own some old ceramics of yours though… was that from a joint exhibition rather than a solo?
Author
Good point Carmel – I DID have pottery in my very, very first solo exhibition. They were created when I was still in art school, over 20 years ago, and since then, I haven’t touched clay til now!
How exciting! Can’t wait for the exhibition!
Author
You’ve always been such a fabulous supporter of my work, thank you! xxx
Ooh, you are going to be running workshops again soon. Trying not to be envious of those lucky people. You are a fabulous teacher, artist and writer. I take so much away from your blogs…such thoughtful words always coming from a place of truth and experience.
I am honoured because I have an exquisite pot of yours, gifted to me when you visted the UK many moons ago. I had no idea it has been so long. Yet looking at your amazing carving on the latest one, I can see your talent shining through. The flora in your paintings emerging in a tactile form. I feel privileged to have some of your works of art; I now have a feeling your ceramics might join them!
Author
Gosh I am amazed, I didn’t know you had one of my very early pots that I made in Art School decades ago (and then never made any again until now!!) Thank you for your kind words, Ramola. Your support and appreciation mean so much to me. Separated by 1000s of miles on the other side of the world, but hearts are close. xx
Mal, I always enjoy your insights and understandings you often clarify ideas that I have not been able to verbalise myself. Going to make a concerted effort to get to your exhibition (and there are not many people I would drive for 5 hours for) thanks for sharing
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Awwww Simon my friend, I would be so honoured, your home and the safe place you have given me in friendship and in physical space have inspired many creative offerings. Thank you for your kind words and our long friendship.
Wow Malini, what a beautiful and thought provoking post!
All the best and may you achieve every one of your desired outcomes in life, art and the ‘dance’!
I wish I could be there for the exhibition ❤️
Author
Oh hello Linda! How lovely to see you here, it’s been a long time! Hope you are well, and dancing … all the way over on the other side of the world. Thank you for reading my post, and for your kind words. Much love, old friend xx
Fantastic, looking forward to the exhibition!
Author
Hey Kev, thank you! So kind of you to stop by!
The pot with the carvings is gorgeous Malini. I love reading your posts, and the lovely comments people have left for you. I hope to spend time with you in your studio one day. A workshop with clay I would most definitely come to!
Author
Ah, Amber it will be a long wait to attend a workshop with clay in my studio (probably not in this lifetime!) But thank you so much for your kind words and for your support! much love xx
Wow…. Hearing from an expert that they too feel like a beginner sometimes is so inspiring. A realisation that life is always about learning and being humble. Though its about your art journey I can always connect it to my personal struggles. Many thanks for sharing this… Love you as always…-Your faraway niece and your admirer.
Author
My beautiful niece, we are all strugglers in life’s journey… NO one is exempt (unless they are in the next world!). Thank you for your kind words and for example of humility, constant learning and adventure! x
Oh, Malini Sending you so many good wishes for the exhibition – I’ll definitely be visiting. And with your new ceramic journey – what fun!
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Thank you Charmaine, it will be an honour if you can attend! much love and thanks x
Loved your blog – as always! My only regret is that I won’t be able to make it to your show.
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Dear Virlane, you are such a sweetheart! I always feel like I’m sharing my creative journey with you even though you are on the other side of the world! And that’s because of your warmth and kindness. So – no matter what – you’ll BE THERE! xx
What a beautiful blog. Your love of beauty and creativity shines through. Have just ordered the book on Joy from the library- thanks for that. Wish I was little closer to see your exhibition. Kia Kaha
Author
Hi Margaret! I hope you enjoy the book 🙂 And I’d love you to pop in to my exhibition, though it might be a little much to make the thousands of kms journey!! I aim to share it online, fingers crossed. Much love and thank you for your kind words xx