Don Jones on sat 13 jan 01
Dear Group,
I just got through sending a sheet of slides back to a great ceramic artist
named Sam Tubiolo. He did large scale pyramids of unglazed clay during his
student tenure at the University of New Mexico. He is no longer in clay
but he reminded me of all the really good artists that come and go in this
medium that don't stick around or have computers or who have even heard of
this list.
Some of these people are exceptionally talented, naturals in clay. Maybe
it was too easy for them or maybe clay as a lifestyle did not call to them
but I remain in awe and secretly jealous of their effortless creativity.
Sometimes they give it their best shot for 5 years and then become lawyers
or something.
Another was my teacher, Mel Fowler at the University of Utah. His
precision and skill with the wheel I have yet to see matched by anyone. He
quit clay and went into glass and now I have lost track of him.
So this is just an homage to all those artists who show up at our local
craft fairs or joined a class of mine early on or who breezed through my
life with claywork that left my jaw hanging. Many of you are like me who
have seen maybe a couple of thousand potters, set up in their booths at
various times at A.C.E. shows and other fine craft events. Sometimes we
never see them again, but we remember a pot or a piece of sculpture that
put a slab of humble pie in our face. I come away thinking: "Wow, I've
got to get to work and do something better than this crap I've been putting
out".
I thank them and realize that my greatest strength as well as many others
in this group is our ability to stick it out and keep going. Longevity is
just as good a path.
Don Jones
hoping I don't get rained out in Carefree AZ next weekend
www.highfiber.com/~claysky
Karen Sullivan on sat 13 jan 01
Don...
I think we all have experienced people with amazing talent,
who move on to different endeavors.
I often wonder why...I have played the game with myself of,
what would I give up, dear God, to be a profound talent....
I think perhaps if it comes too easily, there is not enough
challenge to make the process interesting....
That is the only answer I have come up with.
And I agree, that when you start out, you look around to see
who is working, and compare your strength to those
who surround you...a process that
continues...and over the years the crowd thins out...
And you look around and YOU are the one with the knowledge,
history, experience.
Keep looking to see who is left....
Keep working....the most important, if it is important to
you...keep working
I've started asking ceramic artists "why clay".... an
interesting question I would pose to the group, why clay and
not something else.
bamboo karen
> I thank them and realize that my greatest strength as well as many others
> in this group is our ability to stick it out and keep going. Longevity is
> just as good a path.
>
> Don Jones
> hoping I don't get rained out in Carefree AZ next weekend
>
> www.highfiber.com/~claysky
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
>
Snail Scott on sat 13 jan 01
At 09:09 AM 1/13/01 -0700, you wrote:
>Dear Group,
>I just got through sending a sheet of slides back to a great ceramic artist
>named Sam Tubiolo. He did large scale pyramids of unglazed clay during his
>student tenure at the University of New Mexico. He is no longer in clay
>but he reminded me of all the really good artists that come and go in this
>medium that don't stick around or have computers or who have even heard of
>this list.
>
>Don Jones
I remember Sam Tubiolo's work - very precise and
elegant and simple. Tremendous skill with a fine
eye behind it. I recall he did his BFA at Alfred,
and his MFA at U of New Mexico.
I'm sorry to hear that he no longer does clay, but
I can sympathize - I've been thinking about where
I'd be if I'd stayed in architecture, and whether
it's too late to go back. This is a damfool way to
make a living.
-Snail
Connie Christensen on sat 13 jan 01
Don wrote:
....Sometimes they give it their best shot for 5 years and then become
lawyers or something....
My first experience watching someone throw pots was when I lived on the
Oregon coast. My housemate was an ex-monk who was a potter. I moved to
Denver and lost contact with him. I just found out through a friend that
he is no longer working in clay, he became a police officer. It really
made me feel sad to know that he gave up clay - it was watching him
throw pots that inspired me to eventually take that first throwing
class.
Connie Christensen
(Finally back on the internet after 2 weeks of modem problems - almost
gave into the urge to drop my computer off the balcony)
Kim Peterson on sat 13 jan 01
Congratulations on the article in Pottery Making Ill.
Keep creating and keep teaching. Some of may be one of those who will play
with clay for decades to come.
Kim Peterson
>From: Connie Christensen
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: The forgotten clay artists
>Date: Sat, 13 Jan 2001 15:13:51 -0700
>
>Don wrote:
>...Sometimes they give it their best shot for 5 years and then become
>lawyers or something....
>
>My first experience watching someone throw pots was when I lived on the
>Oregon coast. My housemate was an ex-monk who was a potter. I moved to
>Denver and lost contact with him. I just found out through a friend that
>he is no longer working in clay, he became a police officer. It really
>made me feel sad to know that he gave up clay - it was watching him
>throw pots that inspired me to eventually take that first throwing
>class.
>
>Connie Christensen
>(Finally back on the internet after 2 weeks of modem problems - almost
>gave into the urge to drop my computer off the balcony)
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
| |
|
