Cindy on fri 29 aug 97
Joseph,
I hear you, but I don't really understand. All my life I've pursued things
I didn't want to do because I was told it was impossible to make a living
as an artist. Then I met Tony. Tony drives a brand new van (paid for in
full), lives in a nice home (nearly paid for), supports three boys alone,
and does pretty much everything and anything he wants to do. He's managed a
ranch, welded, kept bees . . . you name it, but in the end, art paid
better. For 15 years, he's worked full-time as an artist. Carving moose
antlers of all things. (The educated folks on the list would call him a
craftsman, I'm sure, as his carvings are derived from nature/wildlife.) He
advised me to make pottery or whatever if that's what I wanted to do. Guess
what? He was right.
Making a living at pottery isn't hard at all--at least I haven't found it
to be so as of yet. I sell all I can make, and at any price I've yet dared
to ask. I figure I clear around $20 an hour after expenses, which is more
than I'd make as an RN in these parts, and a heck of a lot less stressful.
This October, I mark my 2nd year anniversary in clay, so I'm not exactly a
master yet. How do you figure it's hard to make a living in pottery? Just
make what people want to buy and glaze most of it blue. (I'm a craftswoman
after all, and more interested in supporting my little girl than in
producing exalted art.) Sure, you have to work, you need a bit of
discipline, but that's true of a work-for-the-man job, too.
In addition to pottery, I have to confess that I write for the local weekly
paper. My pottery subsidizes my writing, but you have to have a hobby, no?
And it's nice to have people tell me they enjoy my articles so I keep
writing tho' it's not especially profitable. Please explain this mystery to
me. Why is it so particularly hard to make a living in pottery as opposed
to any other independent business?
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels
RR1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
> While we are making lists, I would like to have my name added to the one
that
> says it s hard to make a living from pottery. I am not a college
professor
> so I may not qualify, but I feel that telling a 19 year old that it is
> impossible to make a living from clay is correct 99.95 percent of the
time.
> So five in ten thousand might be able to. That is similar to the odds
of a
> high school football or basketball player making it to the pros. For the
> same odds, the sport things pay lots better.
SpudsMcKnz on thu 11 sep 97
-- I am a 24 year old woman who has just begun building a career in
pottery. I love it , but it's hard because nobody can answer my questions.
So, what I need to know is who I should ask. I am not a pro at the
internet yet but I realize its potential to be a great source of
information. So if anyone is out there who can give me any advice on
really good websites or mentors who are willing to help out new potters
with lots of questions let me know.
Sincerely -- Sarah
Mary Hays on fri 12 sep 97
Sarah: look no further! You have found it. Clayart is #1 for support,
information, questions, answers, etc. The list is endless. Plus there are
archives to search thru.
There should be a local artist association/guild for you to join, check your
yellow pages, go to a gallery and ask, or check your local library. Good
luck!
Mary Hays
Vince Pitelka on fri 12 sep 97
At 06:53 AM 9/11/97 -0400, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>-- I am a 24 year old woman who has just begun building a career in
>pottery. I love it , but it's hard because nobody can answer my questions.
> So, what I need to know is who I should ask. I am not a pro at the
>internet yet but I realize its potential to be a great source of
>information. So if anyone is out there who can give me any advice on
>really good websites or mentors who are willing to help out new potters
>with lots of questions let me know.
>Sincerely -- Sarah
Sarah -
I have been professionally involved in ceramics for almost thirty years,
first as a professional potter, and now as a teacher, potter, and sculptor.
I am a committed teacher, and derive considerable joy from sharing
information. Please email or phone questions to me at any time.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
| |
|
