listening to the clay 

    When I was a young girl,my father would drop me off at my art class every Saturday morning. Classes were held in the basement of an old building that had been converted into an art school. I loved that basement.

    I was determined that my own children would take Saturday art classes. I love those mornings,sitting next to my children and watching them clay(黏土) into dragons,bears,etc. If the g/aze (釉) didn’t turn out like we thought,our wise teacher would tell us with a smile that our unexpected results were “gifts from the (爐) .” She Was encouraging US not to judge our work or ourselves so harshly (苛刻地) but to be free to accent unexpected results willingly. She let US be open to new ways of seeing things,creating,and solving problems,without judgment.

    My son started class at age six. When he was handed his first ball of clay,he pushed his finger deeply into the center and said, “Mom,I can feel the heartbeat of the clay." This was the beginning of a lifetime of learning from my children. Years later,when I got particularly frustrated with my inability to make the clay take the shape I had imagined,I remembered my son’s discovery. I took the pwlse (脈搏) of the clay. I asked what it wanted to be. I discovered that my best pieces are done in partnership with the clay.

    The work I did in the art school helps my later work. I have learned to take the pulse of life and take note of what other people want and need. Now,wherever I am,I remain open to the “gifts from the kiln.”


1. V. to change or make sth change from one form,purpose,system,etc. to another (in Paragraph 1)

2. adj. feeling annoyed and impatient because you can't do or achieve what you want (in Paragraph 4)

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           C    ★★★★★

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               D

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           B  ★★★★☆

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