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mugs, energy and teapots

updated wed 9 sep 09

 

Lee Love on mon 7 sep 09


On Mon, Sep 7, 2009 at 7:55 PM, tony clennell wrot=
e:

> As for teapots look at the one on my blog. If anyone of you can tell
> me the origin of this spout /handle arrangement I'd be grateful.

Tony, they used to sell these at my Asian Market, United Noodle. They
were sold next to the large Thai Mortar and pestles. They sold new for
about the same price Eileen paid for hers. I think they are Chinese.
You can probably still find them at some Asian Markets. I will look
next time I am at United Noodle.
--
--
Lee Love, Minneapolis
"The tea ceremony bowl is the ceramic equivalent of a sonnet: a
small-scale, seemingly constricted form that challenges the artist to
go beyond mere technical virtuosity and find an approach that both
satisfies and transcends the conventions." -- Rob Sliberman
full essay: http://togeika.multiply.com/journal/item/273/

Fred Parker on tue 8 sep 09


This is a Profound Truth (capitalization intended) if it was ever spoken.=
=3D
=3D20
However, on the opposite side there is that nagging question re what a
potter might bring to a community where Bubba prefers football and deer
hunting. Especially, what might an "activist" potter bring (long term) i=
=3D
f
he/she opts to do something with kids in the local schools.

Of course this is an "idealism" based question having little to do with
earning a living through the arts. That can be a daunting challenge inde=
=3D
ed
if one sets up shop where supporting the arts only means being photograph=
=3D
ed
with the mayor during the annual "arts gala" at the local country club,
which it often does.=3D20=3D20

I suppose Lili's "Ramshead Pub" is the virtual equivalent of your "energy=
=3D
"
venue. Artists and craftspeople among those energies you describe tend t=
=3D
o
absorb them. If the community doesn't provide them then they have to fou=
=3D
nd
via other means. Otherwise creativity will absolutely wither.

An artist once told me it is a good thing when we periodically feel our w=
=3D
ork
is totally without merit -- as we all do from time to time. She said it =
=3D
is
these times of self-loathing that drive us to improve to a level where we=
=3D

are once again fulfilled by our work. Being in a high energy environment=
=3D

supercharges this process by forcing us to "compete" with a larger pool o=
=3D
f
creative people. This is a good thing.

But don't forget all the many souls out here in Bubbaland...

Fred Parker=3D20=3D20


On Mon, 7 Sep 2009 20:55:33 -0400, tony clennell =3D
>
wrote:

>I would set up a studio in a place that has
>ENERGY. Not gas, oil or that kind of energy but somewhere that has
>people energy- bookstores, nice coffee shops, pubs, restaurants etc, I
>usually find that US college towns have that kind of energy. People
>that love the arts are good people to have on your mailing list.

Lee Love on tue 8 sep 09


On Tue, Sep 8, 2009 at 7:44 AM, Fred Parker wrote:
>
>
> But don't forget all the many souls out here in Bubbaland...
>
> Fred Parker

I live in a pretty diverse community. But I chose to sell
second Saturdays at my Farmers Market so I would have contact with the
Farmers and my neighbors. I have never sold a single yunomi at the
Farmers Market, but I certainly have sold a bunch of earthenware mugs.
I even traded one for a Hostis plant and 3 kinds of prairie
grasses.

My focus is on the kitchen and not the mantle, though I make
pots for both. As Mark Hewitt says in The Potter's Eye, a living
tradition takes the traditional craft and makes something that is
relevant to the community he is living in.

--
Lee Love, Minneapolis
"The tea ceremony bowl is the ceramic equivalent of a sonnet: a
small-scale, seemingly constricted form that challenges the artist to
go beyond mere technical virtuosity and find an approach that both
satisfies and transcends the conventions." -- Rob Sliberman
full essay: http://togeika.multiply.com/journal/item/273/