mel jacobson on sat 27 nov 10
clayart has a mission to help `all` those that work
in clay.
it does not matter what technique you use.
clay, glaze, firing are all parts of the spectrum of clay production.
one of the most important aspects of clay production
is often miss/placed.
`who is your audience?`
if you are making work to impress other clay workers, well
i think you are leaning towards the wrong audience.
other potters rarely buy your work, and in most cases
are polite with their critiques. they have enough to do just
to make their own work.
about 98 percent of my efforts over the last 50 years
has gone into impressing clients that buy my work.
and most of that is in a 50 mile circle around my home/studio.
when i publish, or have my pots in magazines, it feels good,
but almost 90 percent of that has been in relation to education,
not vanity. i work with clayart to further the craft and pay
back to the craft what it has given me.
many on clayart work in education and need to publish
to further their careers. in many cases, the work is not
for commerce, but for `creative endevour`. it is done
to influence other educators....and that is not the case
for many individual potters, clay artists. educators have to
do what they have to do...or they do not survive, and that
venue is getting very restricted, and really competitive.
it is helpful to recognize what you make, and why you
make it. be thoughtful.
many older clay workers that have gone through the wars
of `doing it all ourselves` do have very strong bias against
`readymade`. most of us believe in `handmade` and that means
all `handmade`. we can be a little pissy about those that buy
it all `readymade` with not much chance of failure. push the button, and
everything works, every time. i prefer bringing myself to the party...addi=
ng
as much of me to the process as i can. but, then i also think
that pc and making sure everyone comes in first place and gets the
same trophy is total bullshit. those that have been raised to believe the
world owes them something and a `golden laurel` for their head are in
for a hard life.
we do craft to fight against a society that throws everything away and
has limited feelings for quality art/craft and hand made objects that will
last for thousands of years. much of what we do is more for the future
than today. we carry on a hand made culture that has gone on for
thousands of years. we keep hoping that what we do has value. it is
why we fight to keep some of the `difficult` parts of the process in our
craft. the historic process that means `handmade`. and when one solves
those really hard problems, creates work that says...`mine, i did it`, your
life is rich beyond belief.
mel
from: minnetonka, mn
website: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/
clayart link: http://www.visi.com/~melpots/clayart.html
new book: http://www.21stcenturykilns.com
alternate: melpots7575@gmail.com
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