michael snyder on tue 15 dec 98
I work part-time as a waitress and part-time ceramic student. In other
words I am usually full-time crazy. Recently, I have been thinking lately
about how do I continue and prosper as an arist. Are artists that thrive
simply the one's that don't give up? Any advice how to suceed and to be
able to work in a field I love,for the rest of my life. Thank you.
Cyndi Gehr
cyngehr@ufl.edu
Bak!Bak!
Cynthia Spencer on wed 16 dec 98
Cyndi--
I think you must have a positive attitude, willingness to be flexible
(you're already doing that with your two part-time jobs), and dedication
to your work. I remained in the "real job" world for many years as an
administrative assistant, hating it most days, but also getting in as
much clay time as possible. Being in the business world taught me a lot
of valuable skills: being organized, meeting deadlines, talking with the
public, communicating, etc.--things very valuable in my clay biz now. I
slowing lowered my hours as an admin. ass. and increased my hours as a
potter, lab rat, firing assistant, and then as teacher until doing the
pottery thing full-time. As a waitress you are learning to deal with the
public, think on your feet, keep many balls juggled at once, and how to
work with money--things some potters could be better at at the crafts
fairs!
There are many resources out there. Mags: Craft Report, Niche Mag, Am
Style, Am Craft (the ads in these magazines tell you a lot about what
galleries are carrying!), that help model the business world of art. And
many books: Growing Your Business, Homemade Money, Wishcraft, Prospering
Woman, etc., that help you visualize being successful. Not to mention
mags that help you better your craft: Ceramics Monthly, Ceramics: Art and
Perception, Studio Potter, etc.
The thing that helped me the most was having a friend in the area who had
a good business up and running, and her willingness to prod me and get me
pointed in the right direction. She continues to be a true mentor, and
has shared an invaluable amount of info with me. She's encouraged me to
try things I wouldn't've, and commiserated when things haven't turned out
so great.
Good luck,
Cynthia
------------------------
cynthia.spencer@cmug.com
541-753-4606
Corvallis, OR
Ray Carlton on wed 16 dec 98
hi Cyndi,
you guessed it, the secret is to be completely and utterly determined to
never give up and you will continue and prosper. There were many times in
the early years when I sat down faced with enormous problems and I just
said to myself "I will never give up" and it was guts and determination and
the ability to never say die that got me through. Many people will say many
things to discourage you like get more education, have more money, get a
kiln, this that and many other things. Ignore them and go and do it!! :)
At 10:49 15/12/98 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I work part-time as a waitress and part-time ceramic student. In other
>words I am usually full-time crazy. Recently, I have been thinking lately
>about how do I continue and prosper as an arist. Are artists that thrive
>simply the one's that don't give up? Any advice how to suceed and to be
>able to work in a field I love,for the rest of my life. Thank you.
>Cyndi Gehr
>cyngehr@ufl.edu
>Bak!Bak!
>
cheers Ray Carlton
McMahons Creek Victoria Australia
Dannon Rhudy on wed 16 dec 98
........... Recently, I have been thinking lately
>about how do I continue and prosper as an arist. Are artists that thrive
>simply the one's that don't give up? ....
It may sound a bit simplistic, but in fact you have noted probably the most
important point. Not just in art, in anything: those who succeed are those
who persist. And persist. And persist.
Other things to consider are these: Have a more concrete goal than to
"be an artist". That is too vague, in terms of "how to get there from here".
Make small-step definite goals: instead of "I need equipment", decide to
acquire a wheel (or extruder, or clay or whatever). Then the next thing,
and the next. You can have more than one small goal at a time, too; but
try not to get too scattered.
The important thing to any journey is to take the first step. And the second.
And each one after. Every step you take makes the next one clearer, perhaps
easier. If you are determined and thoughtful, you will get where you want to
be. Where that place is can and will change as you go; that keeps everything
interesting.
Regards,
Dannon Rhudy
potter@koyote.com
Dan / Joanne Taylor on wed 16 dec 98
Simple rules for success as an artist/potter et al. Address the market.
Make things you like. Be self disciplined. Approach your vocation as a
business. Enjoy!
Dan Taylor...self employed production potter having a great time!
michael snyder wrote:
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> I work part-time as a waitress and part-time ceramic student. In other
> words I am usually full-time crazy. Recently, I have been thinking lately
> about how do I continue and prosper as an arist. Are artists that thrive
> simply the one's that don't give up? Any advice how to suceed and to be
> able to work in a field I love,for the rest of my life. Thank you.
> Cyndi Gehr
> cyngehr@ufl.edu
> Bak!Bak!
Tom Wirt on thu 17 dec 98
>Subject: how to continue and prosper as an artist
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Iabout how do I continue and prosper as an arist. Are artists that >thrive
>simply the one's that don't give up? Any advice how to suceed and >to be
>able to work in a field I love,for the rest of my life.
Cyndi...
Putting the word "thrive" in your post probably changes the response. I'll use
the word not to mean get rich, but to enjoy the life you are creating. This
usually takes some amount of money in today's economies and cultures.
Others have said "make what you like"...true. But you must also make things
which people will buy. So if you make things you like, then find venues (shows,
shops, whatever) where people like you buy things.
A rule of thumb I've tried to follow (with limited success) is a variation on
the 80-20 rule....spend 80% of your time doing things (which you like) for sale
and the customer. Then spend 20% of your time on stuff you really want to do,
whether it will sell or not.
Also, the first 3-5 years are the hardest. After that, you should begin to
find your stride. Not that you can sit back and rest. Unfortunately, we as
potters have a hard time leveraging ourselves, as long as we're the means of
production, sales and management.
Another thought, farm out jobs you're not good at, or that take time away from
potting. Accounting, legal, maybe packing and shipping, etc., etc. You're
usually better off making more pots than trying to do something you're neither
good at or don't enjoy.
And as others have said...persistence. Cut off any way out so the only way you
can go is forward.
Tom Wirt
Clay Coyote Pottery
17614 240th St.
Hutchinson, MN 55350
320-587-2599
claypot@hutchtel.net
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