I am blessed to be friends with a wonderful, creative, inspirational woman - Janda Canalis - and she is a teacher at the school where I work. Not only is she an exceptional teacher, but she is a true ARTIST.
About Janda...
I am a full time teacher of healthcare science. After school, I head to my studio (Earthworks) where I create my own pottery or instruct adults, teens and children how to throw on the wheel. I love teaching! Whether in the classroom at the College and Career Academy or in my studio, I find great joy in helping others learn. Earthworks began as a dream to combine my passion for teaching and the arts. Now, in its 6th year of operation, it has become a very special place where people come together to discover the beauty of clay, the process of centering/forming a slice of earth, and experience a sense of inner peace.
I started as a potter in my adult years. When my children were young, my time was devoted to their activities. Now that they are living adult lives, I have the time to devoteto my art without feeling selfish.
Her Style...
I work in clay. I especially enjoy creating functional pieces that people can use in their every day lives. I tend to favor a modern twist on an ancient art. I pay particular attention to maintaining function within a sleek form with clean lines. I prefer simple glazing techniques that compliment but do not distract from the beauty of the form.
When creating a new piece...
When creating a new piece, I feel the same sort of excitement that one feels when opening a surprise gift. While I begin each piece with an idea in mind, the final form is a product of evolutionary thought.
How it feels to share her art with others...
One of my greatest joys of being a potter is to share my work with others. It makes me happy to visit my children’s and friends homes and enjoy a meal served on the dinnerware that I have made for them. Knowing that my pieces are used to serve and present food that nourishes the body of those I love is wonderfully rewarding.
How she acknowledges her creativity and expresses herself as an artist everyday...
While I teach healthcare science, I take every opportunity to integrate art into my lesson plans. When I look at the curriculum objectives of my courses, I enjoy thinking of creative ways to teach the content that will engage my students’ hands and minds. This next week, we will be making models of bones out of clay and use chalk, charcoal, and paper to create xray illustrations of various types of fractures. Last week, we fingerpainted the motions of a therapeutic backrub! My home also expresses my passion for art as well as my positive spirit.
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