The Mind Body Connection

Being human means more than just having a brain and hands.  These elements are important for our interactions with the world, but utilization of those inner and outer body parts is what leads to functional experiences that result in genuine living and learning.  When we use both our minds and bodies together, we become creative, useful and productive.  With clay, humans can safely explore these innate desires, while remaining curious but becoming more confident at the same time. 

As we grow up, we are often taught that we should stay clean and we become worried about getting dirty.  That concern can be forgotten when using clay, as it is an easy material to rinse and wipe off.  This young artist is aware of the freedom that comes with using the soft medium, so he is able to plunge in and begin creating without inhibitions.

Original thinking and imagination result in designing and problem-solving.  These artists use their brains to think about what they might like to make or to modify their pieces as they continue the creative process.  For an artist to develop both physical strength and mental energy, he must remain flexible, both in the body and the brain.

 Three-dimensional quality comes naturally for humans.  The artists here work more kinesthetically, as they move their arms and hands to push, pull, and piece the material together.  Sculpting the clay mirrors shaping ideas.  Moving back and forth between these steps, the mind body connection increases.

Working from his own experiences, the artist understands more about what his hands can do and how he can use his brain to facilitate those movements.  Making his own observations, he is not limited in creative possibilities and is encouraged to continue experimenting.  Visual thinking and problem-solving are important not only for clay-making, but also for becoming more self-sufficient.  As different parts of the brain develop through each of these processes, different parts of the body also develop.  The essence of being human is combining and balancing these.  Desire, inspiration and artful capability are the outcome.