Ric Swenson on thu 8 nov 07
Mel, Maybe that is why I hesitate to talk about my own work....and share my=
inspirations...I can share it with my close friends and students on an ind=
ividual basis...but not in public I guess. Baring my 'clay soul' is difficu=
lt. I have never attended NCECA or other places to display my ego....or my =
work...I don't enter a lot of 'shows'. It takes something away from my work=
to try to explain it to others....to tell others about my thinking process=
es....'explaining it' takes away from my feeling about it in some strange w=
ay. Let them hold my clay creations or let them see my work up close and le=
t the clay talk to them. Strange or not............. I choose to choose my=
venues. My comfort zone is my own. My work speaks for itself. Others comm=
ents mean little to me....but I do tend to internalize criticisms and learn=
from them.... as I am able to do so. Form in it's most vital and alive id=
eas means a lot to me ... and decoration is just that....decoration. ... i=
n my humble opinion. Mostly.... too much decoration and too many other line=
s and colors... 'Pretty ' is just ....pretty....not beautiful or even attra=
ctive at times ......just overdone...maybe 'busy' describes it best......=
...for the sake of the ability to draw well...or use color all over the f..=
.'in place...just because they can. Glaze is a product of experience and th=
e kiln gods..... only a potter really appreciates the subtilty of the oil =
spot....tenmoko or sea foam color or copper red sang d'boef of the Song dyn=
asty.... or done by Brother Thomas.......the fire tells all. ...and makes a=
ll permanent....for future generations to drink tea from or to look at....a=
nd use.... or just enjoy for the pure enjoyment of the craft.... and art. F=
ine craftspersonship speaks for itself and it doesn't photograph well. It m=
ust be held in the hand and used. Blue and white porcelain means little if =
not done on a beautifully formed and shaped piece of thrown or handbuilt p=
ottery. Most is overdone for the sheer joy of 'being able' to do it. Skill =
is wonderful....but not always very 'creative'. I look first at the shape o=
f the piece....function is, of course, a particular pleasure for me. But li=
ne and order is first. As a Scandinavian, I am always shamelessly trying t=
o use simple forms and combinations of materials to make works that I consi=
der embody a stoic body of work that I can consider my own. My tea bowls an=
d covered jars are just as vital as my winged vessels.... in my opinion. C=
lay is wonderful...but wood and metal and cloth offer opportunities to scul=
pt space too. I am full of my 60 years of experience with life...hard times=
and good times. My favorite pieces are esoteric...my own feelings. celadon=
s ....the simplicity of Song Dynasty ... Ninsei Nonomura's water storage ja=
rs....wisteria....tenmoko tea bowls' like stone' from Korea and Japan...act=
ive clay forms by Voulkos......THE CLAY...the process and flow of clay live=
s there. Colin Pearson's thrown pieces....honest forms... ....but I apprec=
iate much and copy little....Already I feel hesitant and uncomfortable talk=
ing about this subject....so I will stop and let others kick in...where the=
y dare to bare their real feelings and souls. Ric sharing Tony Clennel's ex=
pernences in China.... for nearly two years now in JingDeZhen...but not abl=
e to compete in sharing my creative juices in exactly that way.... =20
Help yourself to FREE treats served up daily at the Messenger Caf=E9. Stop =
by today!=20
_________________________________________________________________
Peek-a-boo FREE Tricks & Treats for You!
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smdilley@sdcoe.k12.ca.us on thu 8 nov 07
Early morning coffee wake to a great discussion,
Why=3F
to make art in this society one must be crazy, disturbed, confused=3F DRiv=
en=2E
Why=3F
xperimentation helps to stave off the boredome while students develop thei=
r
skills of seeing=2E
as mel stated this is an externalized dialog
if not why bother=3F
Ric sez that he does not like to discuss his art GREAT!!! everyone gets t=
o
choose what is right for them=2E=2E=2E
Talking about your work is a means to describe it
describe that which is beyond words, that which comes from a a language
unspoken
People ask me what is the use of learning art=3F
I say what is the use of a sunset or a sunrise=3F
Why teach language skills=3F why practice cursive hand writing=3F
I had a job interview asking about the difference about art and craft and
of course art helps to define our exterior world=2E
Craft is the devlopment of skill for the continuation of a historical
tradition=2E=20
I bet chris burden talked with the man behind the 22 cal when he performed=
"shoot"
If I am going to have someone shoot me in the arm, I'm gonna make sure tha=
t
person is an excellent shot=2E a CRAFTSMAN=2E See even art needs craft=
=2E=20
craft does not need art
it's just not the end all=2E
Ultimately, what do you see, and feel=3F=3F=3F
maybe too much maybe not enough maybe just the edge=3F for most people the=
edge never even crosses their nose=2E
Can you tell me where the edge is=3F
For me some are here and some are there but I experimented with it to
conciously find out where!! even made some bronze survey markers to
document those wee places=2E
coffee,
back to work
steve dilley
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