Marcia Selsor on wed 13 dec 00
Dear Emily,
Try www.abebooks.com for out of print books. They found one for me that
Amazon couldn't.
Enjoy yourself at school. Sounds like a great set up.
Marcia
Emily Reynolds wrote:
>
> Dear Mel,
> This is my virgin trip on the discussion list. But I enjoyed your perceptions
> of a late return to school. I am sort of a Rip Van Winkle potter, having returned
> to clay and to school at 62, trying to figure out what I missed since 1978. I
> think I may have forgotten more than I ever knew, but the important thing is
> rediscovering the joy that I had lost.
> I had run my own studio and classes with 40 - 50 students a semester, had
> apprentices, co-owned a ceramic supply co., etc. , while raising 2 kids.
> Overloading my circuits caused big time burnout and I thought I would never come
> back.
> Now, I am having a ball. Much of what you say is true of the the university
> environment, and students. There are pros and cons. I wanted the experience of
> crits, too because it wasn't done back when I was in art school. I was also
> accused of causing a distortion in the grade curve when I started in a beginner
> ceramic class. I pointed out that I was auditing. I am "advanced" now. I love
> working hard at it, too. Feel fully alive again.
> The terrific thing is that in our state schools it's free tuition when you are
> over 60! One of the few perks of getting on in years. The equipment, studios open
> mostly 24-7. Comraderie, materials & assistance when I need it, stimulus,
> structure to get moving again. They will probably have to cart me out of there
> someday.
>
> So while I am here, I have two questions: Can anyone out there tell me what
> "T-Material" is? It is frequently listed as though it is a clay body, perhaps akin
> to porcelain in books I've been reading on English potters, and last month it was
> also mentioned in Ceramics Monthly without further explanation. I am curious and
> have not seen it listed in an index.
>
> The other question: Does anyone have an address for Norwegian potter, Arne
> Ase? Or know of an available copy of his out-of-print book "Watercolors on
> Porcelain?"
>
> I find getting 100's of emails at a time a little wearing, but am enjoying the
> exploration for now. Thanks for providing an avenue to dialogue. I feel like I am
> rejoining the right tribe. Emily Reynolds
>
> mel jacobson wrote:
>
> > one of the most dreadful realities for me, when
> > i went back to school at 55, was the observation of almost universal
> > lack of dedication to intense study.
> >
> > can you believe this:
> >
> > i was accused of being a `CURVE RAISER`.
> > i did so much work that it made them look bad.
> > shit, a curve raiser in grad school....you see, they sorta knew
> > i was not going to accept the mfa....this was all for me.
> > it was beyond their scope of understanding.
> > i was very interested in the `new language of art`...the
> > critique was why i was there. i can do art in a barn, all alone.
> > i needed them...but, got very little. my teachers were brilliant.
> > (but, not very tough.)
> >
> > most of the students wanted to talk about their art.
> > talk, talk, talk. write a few paragraphs.
> >
> > their metaphors.
> > their images.
> > their personal grief.
> > their menstrual cycles
> > gender issues.
> > the death of redwoods.
> >
> > all predicated on not doing art. not painting.
> > not making pots. but, talking, for hours.
> >
> > students complained about the `work load`.
> >
> > `why do we have to read about milton avery, he was so dumb?`
> > damn, if you do not understand milton avery, don't pick up
> > a brush for the rest of your life.
> >
> > going to grad school should be the greatest gift that a person
> > can ever get. it should be total immersion. total.
> > if one is not dedicated to that...get the hell out of the way.
> > i would have failed half of them...kicked their asses into the
> > real world...but, they all graduated. and you wonder why the
> > mfa shows are often so bad.
> >
> > art is about personal dedication. it is work. talented folks are a
> > dime a dozen. workers are rare as diamonds. a worker with talent
> > is, and becomes genius.
> > mel
> >
> > FROM MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA, USA
> > http://www.pclink.com/melpots (website)
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/Tuscany2001.html
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