compulsory routine
When I was nine, I got involved in gymnastics through a school club team. Mind you, 9 years old is a day late and a dollar short in the gymnastics world…almost an old maid. Then, during the 1976 Olympics I remember watching Nadia Cománeci score the first ever perfect 10 (before the sport’s scoring system became comparable to calculus) It was amazing! I was inspired.
In high school, the team collectively began each practice by running through the compulsory floor exercise routine on the hardwood gym floor – at least twice. I can still hear the tinny piano music. Those compulsory routines served to warm up our muscles and perfect foundational skills. Despite the perfecting component, my mediocre skill set promised not more than a 7 of 10 (evidence that 9 years old is too late a start to make your mark) Consistency was my contribution to the team.
In ceramics, there are some studio potters that go about compulsory routines in their studio practice. They begin each day by throwing 18-20 mugs – a way to warm up muscles and perfect foundational skills. its worthwhile.
For me this represents 18-20 handles to pull, which take longer than the throwing of said mugs. Not to mention the 18-20 surfaces to draw/finish the following day. Yeah, well…I’m no potter.
I draw.
In life drawing class we would begin each day with several quick gestural drawings…compulsory routine. I always told myself those warm-ups were a way to work out all the awkward marks before time spent with good paper.
These days I spend a lot of time drawing on not-so-good paper (awkward marks included) The drawings allow me to work out some visual communication and learn form before I commit the image to clay.
Compulsory disciplines are a little complicated with the clay drawing thing. However, there are times throughout the year when I create smaller tiles without much predetermined thought as to image. I’ll work serially; usually refining line and drawing technique, always anticipating surface/glaze options. (test tiles. glorified test tiles)
Its interesting…maybe a little ironic. Since tiles don’t take up much vertical space in the kiln, I find myself starting the day in the studio throwing pieces to fill the bottom half of the kiln…usually mugs.
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