Looking at Learnng Part 2.

"Flight of Mercy"

Almost ready for take-off!

This is the question I began to explore in my last blog.

“Should I take advantage of auditioning classes at university, which I can now do as a senior citizen for I believe free, or at least a nominal price?”

So the article I referred to last time suggested that there are many successful artists who do not have formal higher education and are doing well. That was reassuring.

The writer continued with a section on what teachers need to keep in mind as they teach and another on what students must keep in mind as they study.

He reminded students to remember that after they have graduated from their studies not to let it go to their heads and remember that to be a thriving artist they must continue to be “students” for the rest of their lives. That “learning” is never over. I loved that, for I have learned with that every piece I do, I continue to experience challenges and continue to learn.

Because my own unique personal experiences my thoughts and feelings lead me to create pieces that are new to me. This then, as you can imagine, leads me into situations with my clay medium that I may never have encountered before. I remember as I was preparing for this last art show, I was very focused and creating very steadily for a period of time. I began to feel fatigued in the sense that I was always running into new barriers and challenges that needed to be thought out and resolved for the pieces to be completed on time. I realised then not only the energy it took, but that this was actually going to be a part of my creative life.

Right from the beginning there are challenges, like, how dose this feeling or emotion “look” in clay? Can I clarify it to the point of representation in three dimensional way? Can I manipulate the clay correctly for this particularly idea to be communicated? What have I seen or heard in my life that might give me some direction in what to create to represent this? Once I’ve decided on the physical image it might require, I need to think through the technical aspect of how the clay will have to be manipulated to bring the image into reality. The size, do I do it in pieces and put it together later? Drying times and engineering issues then arise...

Then there is the draughtsmanship of the elements to be represented. I need to challenge myself and the clay to make things look the way the image in my mind is seeing it.

As you can see in the piece pictured above, there are some similarities to another piece I’ve done before, this of course made things easier, but, as is normal with any new piece, it has new elements and so also has new challenges. In this case, representing feathers, wings, a feeling of flight, sleeves and (at this point still unresolved) how to represent a binding of rope falling away not only to feel “freedom” but to also represent “flight and motion” in the process.

I have broken down a process that on the one hand becomes so routine and natural, like walking or riding a bike, yet in each of these activities the terrain brings new challenges, and we need to think about how we will walk this mountain or ride over this next unique, never seen before surface.

Bottom line, I have come to the conclusion that in my unique situation, I will just continue creating. I have nothing against any courses and will if I need to, take shorter workshops on unique areas I feel I might need help on.  

I am comfortable with my destiny of being a student for life. It is the only way to live.

“The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”

John 7:15



Looking at Learning

Can you make out the quote?

Article "Looking at Learning" by Don Pilcher

Ceramics Monthly, Nov. 2006



So I had a problem.

It had to do with my “art education”.

Should I take advantage of auditioning classes at university, which I can now do as a senior citizen for I believe free, or at least a nominal price?

Let me present my dilemma. I am the old guy, just now getting into making art, even showing gallery art at the ripe old age of...well let’s say over 65 years. It is true, I have been an artist or “artistic” all my life. I did get an education, in the process of which I always found anything artistic of special interest. I did also pay independent attention somewhat to the art world. Did dabble and explore painting here and there, when I was a student, between jobs, while I was sick or during some particular occasions of artistic enthusiasm that would overtake me once in a while. Throughout the years Wilma and I would often visit art galleries on our not so often vacations, weekends or special events that would interest us.

All of that just to say that because of my art natural art skills, I did pay more attention to art than I otherwise would have.

This was the question on my mind as I drove to the studio Monday morning. There I stood in my creative space and could not move. I felt cornered.

Time? Time is of the essence! With the time I have left what would be the reasonable thing to do. The most efficient thing? I had always thought that in my retirement I’d go to University and get the art education, bury myself in the art world, find my place. Learn the ins and outs. Now, in preparing for a show and working at expressing my feelings I thought going to university would teach me how to “correctly and more easily” translate my feelings and emotions into something visual, through the mediums of clay and charcoal drawings.

But I was hesitating now.

I turned around and walked to the library of art magazines we have in our co-operative coffee area. Grabbed two at random, opened one and saw an article called “Looking at Learning”!

Do you see a God-moment here? Wow...! I carefully began ready knowing God was going to speak somehow and that this right here, was a holy occasion. I began reading with great expectation, looking for what He might highlight for me.

First, was the quote you see I photographed above. That was a huge reassurance and important message for me. It placed everything into perspective. I need not panic or feel that the University experience was absolutely necessary. I had already heard a comment like that as I worked to prepare for the last art show. In fact it came from a sales lady at the University of Manitoba book/art store! I could not believe what I was hearing. Someone working, selling art supplies, at a university actually saying that “...art education is not really all that it’s knocked up to be, many artists with no art education are doing very well.”

So, here an experienced artist and art educator was confirming the same sentiment.

Thank you Lord! I kept reading....

“...do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Mercy Flight in Progress

"Mercy Flight"

in progress.

On my way to the studio I realized I had actually teased you with the photo of a piece I was beginning. It looked like “mitts” extending into the air. “What is that guy up to now?” you asked. Sorry to make you wait a whole week for explanations!

During the art show, I always felt that my “6.5 Weeks” piece was not the whole story, and needed a companion piece or more to complete or at least round out the message. It seemed so abrupt. It also seemed so final.

Monday I spent the day in my studio and found that my mind was restless. I had an idea of what I might do for this companion piece but could not get into it. I did some of those little time consuming things that need to be done, like fixing cracks on bone dry pieces in preparation for firing etc. Finally, when I’d had supper I walked into the studio and I began. In two and a half hours I had made the mitts you saw in the last blog.

Wednesday, after our “Band of Brothers” meeting at “St. Timmys” which ended around 7:30AM I went directly to my studio and lost myself in the making of feathers on these mitts. What you see above is six and a half hours of work making feathers! I’ve finished a hand and a half and I’m excited.

Just yesterday I decided on a working title, “Mercy Flight”.  The “6.5 Weeks” represents the terrifying and painful experience, this one represents the deliverance from that horrible experience. It was not the ending we were of course expecting and wishing for but under the circumstances, with no other help available, her going into hypothermic unconsciousness in the cold weather was an act of mercy. Later, she quietly passed through death’s door to the well deserved door of an eternal life of joy and peace.

That’s the main reason for the piece. It has other layers also, for we as a family and I myself have now, after the trial, in retrospect also felt a sort of deliverance and freedom. Often we (as a family) have looked at each other and expressed how “different” things seem to be now. The anniversary days are easier. We seem to be delivered in some way to a new life energy, expressing itself in many different ways, in really every aspect of our lives.

We have our “peace” back. We certainly have experienced mercy.

“Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great...”

1 Chronicles 21:13



"Counting Reps" Deep into Retirement

As you can see, the next project(s) are on their way.

An example of the large life-size work

done by Mike Chatterley

See: www.chatterley.com

Last year I ran across an article about an artist, Mike Chatterley who caught my attention. As I went about making pieces for my art show I was challenging myself to begin making some of my work larger. Well, his stuff is huge!

As you can see, Mike has gone way beyond “large”...his pieces are more than life size. The article explained how he was concerned for himself having to move these pieces around, not only in and out of the kiln, once for bisking, then out for applying glazes and again back into the kiln for the second firing. He also has constant showings going on so they have to be moved to the show, carried into the building from his van, up stairs etc. They then have to be moved to be assembled in the showing area. And of course this all has to be repeated when the show is over. Now there is a new meaning to “strength in numbers!”)

Makes my pieces look like a piece of cake.

He explained how to keep himself in shape he went to the gym three times a week and then also did one weekly session of aerobics. “I try to maintain my strength so I can move my own work around.”...”I imagine someday I might have to hire assistants or get a fork lift to move the work ...but until then, I think of it as a free work out.”

Last year I learned a lesson in how quickly one can pull something and be severely limited and in pain for a long period of time. During cleaning for an absent staff member, I impulsively picked up an item that was unexpectedly heavy. I ripped some muscles in my back which severely limited my activity for some time. I realised how important it was to stay in shape, not only to just generally feel better about life and living, but to prevent such unexpected and painful surprises that can change your life.

No, I’m not planning to make pieces that large but it feels good that the injury has healed. It feels good to be in shape and to be once again actively producing new stuff (as you can see above) without being limited by an injury and the pain that goes along with it.

I have to say, for an old guy like me, having no real health issues is a true blessing. For that reason alone I am happy to continue going to the gym, and continue counting reps., to do what I can to ensure I am healthy and productive deep into my retirement years.

“At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.”

Daniel 1:15

Strength in Numbers...

In a weak moment…I made a pact. I set myself up! I have committed myself to working my physical body till it hurts!

That's right, in February of this very year I foolishly shared my goals for 2012 with a few friends. One of them was to begin exercising! You see, I have basically become a pencil pusher. I have organised my business so I only need to basically do desk work. Nice eh? Well, apparently not. My mind in all its wisdom tells me that for some strange reason like “health” I must do this, but my body is weak and is rather reluctant.

This morning, Saturday morning by the way, I groggily got up out of my bed, walked through the quiet sleeping house, got into my van and went to "my gym" to do some exercising!

Experience has already told me that the difficult part is the head games. Once you get past the “It’s too early”, “I’m to tired,” or “What a bonehead you are getting up so early on a Saturday morning…” and you manage to get outside, the fresh air begins to enliven, and it doesn’t seem so bad anymore.

I begin by warming up on the treadmill and I begin to count. Well, I let the machine do the counting. I move on to the next, adjust the weight to the right number, (as low as possible) and begin the repetitive movements, counting every time.

It’s always a concern, will I be able to do the strength movements as many times as I did last time? When the burn begins, again the mind games begin, “Do I really want to go as high as last time? If I do the same reps. Would be considered success, right? ”  “30, 31, …32……..33……………………….34”  

“You know I do have to be able to lift my arms today if  I’m going to drive my car….OK that’s good, one over the other day…next!”

I am discovering that as in many things, even in the gym, there is strength (and pain!) in numbers.

“But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”
Nehemiah 6:9

Grieving the Innocence of Twine...

Photo of twine,

a portion of a charcoal sketch

by Cliff Derksen



The “art show” is over and it is time to look ahead to new creative ventures in art.

I have begun another art piece, a large charcoal drawing. The theme of the drawing goes beyond “twine” but twine is certainly a key element to the work.

Our “case” had to do with twine or rope and in this creative process I found that I had to grieve the loss of innocence relating to my memories and experiences with twine.

I grew up on a small mixed farm where “binder twine” was a constant reality in our lives. It was a key aspect in the harvesting of straw, binding it into manageable bales for storage and ease of handling purposes. This of course made it a necessary presence on our farm.

It laterally became a part of our lives. Large amounts of it hung around the farm, since every week, bales would be used and the strings cut and salvaged. Binder twine became the solution for almost anything. It was handy, easy to cut, tie and thin enough to go through small openings.

As kids it became a toy, in the sandbox, on the yard playing horse or becoming a tire swing. We had fun braiding it into stouter rope...just for fun. It pulled toboggans or sleighs behind the larger school sleigh pulled along by “Doll” (our Clydesdale horse) taking us the two and a half miles to school. We would enjoy sliding over drifts of snow, we would run alongside, jump on, fall off, pull each other off and on till we were exhausted. It was fantastic fun.  

Further, it was the super solution for almost any emergency. Broken harnesses were repaired on the spot so the action could continue. Fences and gates repaired till one had time to fix it. It was used for suspenders or a belt to keep up our pants. In this case it became sometimes normal and not an emergency! It could be made into a quick halter, keeping broken pieces of machinery together while getting off the field, tying down loads on trucks and hay-wagons, tying up garden plants to stakes...on and on.

My daughter Candace did not grow up on a farm, nor have any relationship with the enjoyment of twine in this fashion. I am so relieved that even though she is no longer with us today, she is alive and well with no memory of the pain cause by someone’s evil and destructive misuse of something so special as humble twine.

“So she let then down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall.”

Joshua 2:15

Thrown for a Loop!



A view of the main floor area of the gallery

by Cliff Derksen



I don’t mind telling you that following the thrill, the intensity, emotion and the overwhelming positive responses of the opening night I was kind of “thrown for a loop”, to say the least.

Next to that was the overwhelming media responses. One station actually ran their morning show from the gallery!

Another thing that threw me was the number of people calling and asking if I had the time to be there to lead families, friends or groups through the display. There were seniors groups, school groups, one for example being a grade nine class of sixty students. All of this was so fun, exhilarating and exciting. Of course I always talked way to much! My apologies to all who came through.

The “Artist Talk Night” threw me for a loop as it was much like the opening night. Probably just over one hundred people packed out the open area set up with chairs. When chairs ran out they stood, or went up onto the mezzanine and listened from there. The most amazing thing about that evening was that our daughter Odia shared her story, from the perspective of Candace’s younger sister. There were things there I’d not heard before. Also, it was fun to take the mike from each other and fill in what they could not say! Also, loved the banter with one another and the audience.

Last weekend there was a Restorative Justice event at CMU and arrangements were made for them to have access to the gallery. Another heart warming experience that threw me.

And to think when I was asked about whether I would consider doing this show, I made the decision to do it, not knowing what I would create. I simply took a chance and said “yes”! Now, thinking back on it, that was totally loopy. What a risk that was and I didn’t even know it. Wow.

Tomorrow is the last day of the show. But now, I have a body of work. I know something of it’s message and loopy as I am, I will continue to say “yes”.

“...establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands.”

Psalm 90:17