Clay Doodles

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I read once that Rodin, the sculpture who made the Thinker, would carry clay around with him and do little impromptu sculptures of people. Then give these sculptures to these people. I did this once for Robert Michael Pyle, after I heard him speak at USU. I always remember him as that guy who loves butterflies and slugs, and made underwear obscene in whole new ways. He is fantastic!

I first discovered plasticine clay when I was about five years old. My older step bother had made a candle with clay wrapped around it. I would steel little pieces of clay from his art project. The bit of clay I played with was no larger than a pencil erasure. Since I have no skill whatsoever for theft, I as of course caught. Why my brother has many faults, I must give him tremendous credit here. On my sixth birthday, he gave me a pack of clay. Joy beyond measure! And the beginning of a new life for me. A life that included many days of carrying clay around in my pocket. Making a hand, or face, or quick figure.  A life full of clay doodles.


While I rarely carry clay in my pocket these days, I do keep it close by. Here is a clay doodle sitting on my desk at work. 


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