tony clennell on tue 26 aug 08
Kelly wrote:
And then... you feel freedom settle in. Self determination. What would
you make if nobody was looking? What would you do if it was only for
you? What pots would you make, what goals would you set, if you didn't
feel the pressure of expectations, predictions, obligations and the
generally accepted "next steps"?
In my case, the answer has been a rediscovery of joy, and a renewed
determination to do things the way I choose, sales and crits and profs
be damned... making new, happier work and moving ahead... as much to
spite the naysayers as to satisfy the supportive. But mostly because
it's not a race, there really is no cheering crowd, and the milestones
all ring hollow once they are reached.
Kelly: I got news for you! First tell your husband to keep his job- he
is going to be feeding the family for some time to come. Second build
a shed to keep all the pots you're making for yourself cause you're
going to need storage soon after ya build the soda kiln and start
making only what you want to make.
My experience seems to be the flip opposite of yours. Grad school has
allowed me to make what I selfishly want to make and being home in the
studio has me making pots I could make blindfolded and half asleep.
I have had a ball at USU making stuff I'd never make at home for fear
it wouldn't sell.
i have made a 1000 lbs of nasty clay and a couple of wooden molds to
start making the work I'm dreaming of- I'm dedicating 12 hour
Thursdays to that work- 6 other 12 hour days to studio work.
I'm starting to feel melancholy already about leaving the gang and
the wonderful time in my life it's been.I think the gang at USU(which
most certainly includes faculty) will be my friends for life.
Maybe it's been the 20 years of studio pots that allowed me the
pleasure of grad school. If you're strapped to a wheel feeding a
family a few days of playing in the sand box is one hellava treat.
Tommy Wirt and a few others on this list need that kind of break.
I'm in the home stretch. Maybe things will change between now and
then. So far though my 2 years at USU have been the best of my
educational career. I think my China and Back to School blogs have
been a testament to the great time I'm having.
All the best,
Tony
P.S I need a shed full of pots. I just can't fill this place up. What a problem!
--
http://sourcherrypottery.com
http://smokieclennell.blogspot.com
Hank Murrow on tue 26 aug 08
On Aug 26, 2008, at 5:32 AM, tony clennell wrote:
> Kelly wrote:
>
> In my case, the answer has been a rediscovery of joy, and a renewed
> determination to do things the way I choose, sales and crits and profs
> be damned... making new, happier work and moving ahead...
>
> Kelly: I got news for you! Build
> a shed to keep all the pots you're making for yourself cause you're
> going to need storage soon after ya build the soda kiln and start
> making only what you want to make.
Dear Tony and Kelly;
Now that is a great sequence of events. Yes! Build the storage shed,
hell, build a barn! Do what you imagine, and store it all in that
barn until it is starting to look crowded. Then put a 'story' in one
of those glossy mags about this crazy potter in Ohio who has a 'barn
full of pots', and hire a high school girl to open it after school
for a couple of hours. It will create its own sales magic. I predict
that the pots will sell and you can keep making them at that record
pace without interruption. When you tire of it, you can afford to go
recharge at the Spa. You go Girl! And thank Tony for a great
suggestion. I got the same advice from David Stannard once.
Cheers, Hank in Eugene
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