2008 Woodie Awards
Student's Frustration Becomes Obsession
Karen Aman
Issue date: 8/25/04 Section: LIFE
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Betsy Miller, 31, reluctantly acquiesced when her mother prodded her to enroll in a fall 2000 Citrus College ceramics class.
Miller's mom, Gwen Miller, is a 1997 Citrus College graduate who would have liked to learn the art, but who never found the time.
As Miller approached her first semester of working with clay, her attitude was not enthusiastic, but it was practical. She figured she'd kill three birds with one stone.
"I could get my mom off my back, make some flower pots for my garden, and fulfill my art requirement, all at the same time," Miller said.
After the first week of the semester, Miller wanted to quit. It seemed that she had a hard time "throwing."
"It is very difficult to throw in the first few weeks. It's all about hand-eye coordination, which takes a lot of practice," Miller said.
But by the end of the semester, Miller was hooked, and throwing has become her favorite part of creating ceramics for the past four years.
Fellow art student Debra Schweiner watched Miller's frustration transform into an obsession. It was Schweiner who nominated Miller to receive The Gift.
The Gift is a $50 anonymous contribution to the Citrus College community. It involves one student giving a gift to another student in person. The Gift offers an opportunity for students to recognize and show interest in one another and to extend themselves in a kind and caring way.
"She works very hard, and she is a beautiful glazer as far as colors and combinations go. She is known for having very light, smooth, symmetrical pots, which takes quite a bit of work and practice." Schweiner said.
Miller remembers the day everything came together for her as a potter.
"I centered [the clay] right away. I was like, 'Wow, I want to do that again.' Once it clicked like that, it was really cool," she said.
Learning how to create in clay what you see in your head is what practice is all about, Miller said. Mastering the art of throwing encouraged Miller to go on.
Miller's mom, Gwen Miller, is a 1997 Citrus College graduate who would have liked to learn the art, but who never found the time.
As Miller approached her first semester of working with clay, her attitude was not enthusiastic, but it was practical. She figured she'd kill three birds with one stone.
"I could get my mom off my back, make some flower pots for my garden, and fulfill my art requirement, all at the same time," Miller said.
After the first week of the semester, Miller wanted to quit. It seemed that she had a hard time "throwing."
"It is very difficult to throw in the first few weeks. It's all about hand-eye coordination, which takes a lot of practice," Miller said.
But by the end of the semester, Miller was hooked, and throwing has become her favorite part of creating ceramics for the past four years.
Fellow art student Debra Schweiner watched Miller's frustration transform into an obsession. It was Schweiner who nominated Miller to receive The Gift.
The Gift is a $50 anonymous contribution to the Citrus College community. It involves one student giving a gift to another student in person. The Gift offers an opportunity for students to recognize and show interest in one another and to extend themselves in a kind and caring way.
"She works very hard, and she is a beautiful glazer as far as colors and combinations go. She is known for having very light, smooth, symmetrical pots, which takes quite a bit of work and practice." Schweiner said.
Miller remembers the day everything came together for her as a potter.
"I centered [the clay] right away. I was like, 'Wow, I want to do that again.' Once it clicked like that, it was really cool," she said.
Learning how to create in clay what you see in your head is what practice is all about, Miller said. Mastering the art of throwing encouraged Miller to go on.