It is possible to put a square peg in a round hole. It’s done all the time. You can even make a square hole round. It all depends on the materials and how they are influenced. You might use a “rounder” to round or a square to “square.” That’s how they got the names. At times, inexperience, lack of understanding of the materials, or environment can cause us to think our choices are limited.
Maybe we decided to accept what things are shaping up to be and learn to enjoy what fate hands us. The experienced can force themselves on the situation and, with ease, manipulate the materials and environment to do as they wish to bring about the change they seek to make. It may sound non-traditional, but we can influence by adding pressure; we can manipulate the forms into what we intended. Some clay artists and makers might be fine with allowing the intended large bowl to become a platter. But the experience will form it back in line to become the bowl they intended quite easily.
Working in clay has taught me that things are quite malleable. Using the right techniques, tools, and materials, you can move large amounts into submission and shape the form to produce and bring about what you envision. This can often be done by working along with the materials, tools, and environment rather than against it. Maybe the clay artist has some edge as they learn, and they do need to put a certain amount of force on the clay to shape it into the change they seek to make.
There has been a lot of overtime at my job at the big paper factory. It is as if there is a large ten-pound lump of clay on that wheel that I need to make into a bowl. It might be a long, hard summer balancing the pots with work. But I have thrown large bowls before, and in doing all the right things, I might be able to mold the large lump of resistance that was placed on my wheelhead and come up with something I intend. It may mean writing on my breaks, throwing pots a little after work, and firing on the few days I have off.
There needs to be some goal when forcing square pegs into round holes or knocking round holes square. We always have a choice, no matter what the situation is, and that is our attitude towards it. What big lump of resistance were you given to work with? What big lump of clay was placed on your wheel head? As a creator, I bet you can form something amazing out of the seemingly impossible. I need to go to the paper factory today for twelve hours. Maybe I’ll use the extra money to put that wood kiln in and buy some new supplies.