Risk it or wreck it

This is a little game I play when making my ultra thin wheel thrown pots. I suppose it can apply to lots of people in many different areas of life but particularly for certain kinds of artwork that one invests substantial amounts of time on. It goes like this. I'm close to what I'm after, at the good enough stage, but not the " oh that's it" pushing the boundaries to the very edge point. I have learned after wrecking countless pots by making them so thin they collapse, or I break through the wall with a tool, so I stop and ask myself "risk it?" after all, does the world need another mediocre pot? or am I willing to go for it but risk ruining it? I usually go for it but watch the danger signs. By staying alert and aware in the moment and applying proper procedures each step of the way which means; not rushing or fudging or keeping my fingers crossed and taking a reckless leap of faith, I've been able to have a higher success rate.I can still recycle the clay at this point and try again after reclaiming it so it's not a total loss if I fail, mere frustration as to time and energy expended. I suppose risk it or wreck it can apply to many aspects of life, jobs relationships, etc.., Just something to think about

Doubling down

It's showtime, Set up is in four hours. Clint Eastwood's squint eyed face and the quote, as I open up the kiln, comes to mind " are you feeling lucky punk?, well are ya?" 156degrees on the cool down. I can crack the kiln and look inside" whew" a few good pieces I can view on the top shelf. Nothing like running it down to the wire " get em while they're hot folks" too much New yorker in me. The top shelf bodes well for what's in store further down, good omens or at least a decent start. Always have something new, improved, moving forward. Over the hump and down the final stretch. My mantra on show days is "don't sit down until your done" No time for inertia or reflection, forces are gaining down the final stretch, the trumpet blares, "and we're off"

the poetry of process

holding the wool and silk in my hands
scrunching and folding
repeating over and over again
fingers inspired by the materials
look at the lovely essence of the silk
dancing together with wool
like Isadora Duncan
on stage
many tiny steps
until it is finished, complete

complexity of life

One strives for simplicity, but often times has to deal with the complexity, the mess, the disorder that arises while one is searching for order. Cleaning out the studio, I feel like a bouncer at a night club- you, not you- are the decisions I have to make. Striving for perfection, there are little murky puddle areas along the way one has to contend with. What was I thinking? what am I striving for? Does the artwork come from within, or from some preconceived notion, a vision dancing like sugar plums in my head? I see it , envision it, way before it can come to fruition. Making pottery is like the birthing process, pots come through the wheel from some mysterious place, sometimes with their own will, other times mildly related to an idea I had. Keep going, cleaning up, honing the vision, perfecting. All in the stream of consciousness. Ta da..,

art vs. chach

There is a difference between art that is well crafted,timeless, and made by a skilled craftsman, verses clever gimicky, product design. When you pick up an object and hold it in your hand, ask yourself this question"What does my soul feel?" I'm not saying that there shouldn't be a place for cute clever, gimicky objects, but one must consider; is this object timeless? will it look nice with other well crafted handmade objects by other artists because it fits into the catagory of art? Or is it like the furniture at the giant big box Swedish furniture store, looks nice when surrounded by all the like stuff, but not particulary high quality hand craftsmanship or sophisticated design, that will look attractive when brought into the home setting and displayed with other handcrafted artisan items of different styles for years to come.

clarifying process

simple, timeless, earthy yet elegant. good craft lasts through the generations. Paying attention to detail, being patient, it's all about the process, being present each step of the way. Mindfulness is a duty to oneself, one's work, one's community. Stay on the tracks, try not to get derailled.


photo credit: buffalogirlsproductions.com