The Oxford dictionary defines ‘creativity’ as the use of imagination or original thoughts and ideas to create something. Creativity is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is characterised by the ability to perceive the world in new ways, to find hidden patterns, to make personal connections, and to produce solutions.
My husband Geoff and I share a vision. We agree on what we want from life and how we plan to achieve it. We are partners on the same team. What I lack Geoff has, and vice versa. We balance and complement each other. This sense of place flows into all aspects of our life. Sharing our creativity has improved our relationship and careers and encouraged abundance and prosperity.
Both creativity and relaxation in whatever form are important to each individual. It does not matter how many spare hours are available if they are used wisely.
Creativity involves two processes ‘thinking’ and ‘producing’, if you have ideas and don’t act on them you have an imagination you are not using. Creativity is the process of bringing together:
- Intuition
- Cognitive and non-cognitive skills
- Being in tune with ones senses
Contained in our cottage garden in Barby is a converted old washhouse made into a workshop-come-studio. The garden and the surrounding countryside, with its dramatic changes of each season, add peace and inspiration to our work. Barby is situated on the Warwickshire & Northamptonshire borders in a lovely rural location.
It is because of our placement on the map we are able to showcase our creativity by opening our garden and studio by taking part in both Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Open Studios Trails and Events. Generosity plays a significant role in our creativity and attracting abundance, it is not about creating wealth; abundance refers to the development of creative endeavours and spiritual growth.
Through our joint creativity and learning we both developed our mutual interest with clay in different ways. Geoff, who is a technical mechanical engineer by trade (who became interested in the clay medium through my various art teaching and community projects contracts and placements) loves throwing on the wheel and the tactile experience of porcelain stoneware. His glazed contemporary, sculptural ceramic vessels are decorated with two basic glazes and the finished ceramic forms reflect the chemical reaction of both the internal and external temperatures of the kiln throughout the year.
My ceramic work pieces in the workshop studio are functional; sculptured; coiled or slabbed ceramic vessels, incised with organic objects from the landscape. I enjoy the finding of new objects and instantly know how to incorporate them into clay. The patterns on the vessels are dictated by the items found. The items also dictate the type of clay to be used e.g.; shells for light or white clay; tree bark for darker clay. All my vessels are textured then burnished and all finished work is then glazed on the inside.
Geoff and I have been members of Midlands Potters Association for many years. The organisation was founded in 1980 and since then interest and membership numbers have grown. Membership now spans ten counties within the Midlands. The MPA is a non-profitmaking organisation and promotes shares and embraces the communication of ideas, techniques and experiences. This experience can be in the form of workshops, demonstrations, teaching and members exhibiting together.
