comfort.

I've been in Fremantle, at The Clay House, for two days now. The studio is lovely, with heaps of space and natural light even on cloudy days! 

I applied for this residency to learn new skills, make some work in Australia and step out of my comfort zone. I forgot that being outside of one's comfort zone is scary. I'm working in an open plan studio; with just three other potters in the building, totally focussed on their own work, I feel vulnerable. I'm using a new-to-me wheel. It's a classic Venco, but it feels clunky compared to my Shimpo. I've picked up some Walker's Number 10 white stoneware clay, but it's way firmer than I've become accustomed to. There aren't many throwing bats available so I have to cut the pots straight off the wheel, something I only did a few times in college. I probably have an unhealthy dependency on bats. All of these things feel BAD, but that's just nerves talking. These differences are what I'm here for. They'll make me a better potter.