clennell on mon 13 aug 01
Sour Cherry Pottery
> SO we don't become a professional until we can support ourselves with 'clay
> money'. How nice. Thanks for making that clear. chris
>
>
> temecula, california
> chris@ccpots.com
> www.ccpots.com
Chris and others: I knew this was going to get some gotchies in a twist.
Many clayarters waited for me to report on my experience as Artist in
Residence at Medalta. I was unable to because I got into a major funk about
the future of clay for young people. I address it in the next issue of Clay
times.
In my area of Ontario it costs at least a quarter million for an old house,
a slum in Toronto is $300,000. then what about a studio????? Students are
being taught in art school to make a life like penis. they are not being
taught to make a living. I am happy for those of you with a cushion in your
life. I am worried about the art student saying "would you like fries with
that" all day and trying to make pots at night till he/she gets tired and
postpones the career in clay until they meet prince charming or work a job
for 30 years looking out the window and dreaming about their pots.
Sheila says I vent my frustrations on clayart. I do. You get the anger and
the tenderness. I wear my feelings on my sleeve.
I liked the post about supporting the habit. I hope the habit supports the
maker in a second career. Maybe not with dollar bills but with purpose in
life. I guess that is payment enough.
If it makes you feel any better i capitalized my home and studio with the
money Sheila and I made teaching- me Marketing and her Grade 1. I have lived
off my pots for the past dozen years but thank god for the other jobs. We
would never have made it. I don't see how anyone could. that is sad for the
profession.
cheers,
Tony
Chris Clarke on tue 14 aug 01
Let's see, I graduated in '95 with a BFA along side my husband, also a BFA.
We moved for him. I had a studio and was getting ready to go to graduate
school.
But we moved anyway, no schools within driving distance now. So I set up a
studio, again, began selling. His career was stagnating at Lockheed Martin,
while I was selling every piece I made.
He was tired of modeling rockets and satellites (and knowing The Big
Secret). I had orders galore. He wanted to move to California, animation
jobs, his dreams. I had been fighting California tooth and nail since we
married in....oh I can't remember.
I wanted to stay, California no way. But hey, I can pot anywhere and now
maybe graduate school will be within reach. So I shut down, sold every last
piece and packed up.
He's now art director for a game company. I can't find my market or a school
close enough.
Get over a thousand hits a month on my site and haven't sold a piece. Went
to several shows, made back my booth fees. He's had three promotions in two
years.
I know I made the right choice but getting very frustrated. So sorry if it
chaps my ass that because I can't buy my toothpaste anymore that means I'm
not a professional.
I am a professional, I am also a potter. And I am trying my damnedest to
make a living.
No one can tell me what I'm not. I am not a amateur, I am not a hobbyist.
And I am not a quitter, my husband will quit his job someday and hang out by
the pool!
chris
all said in the friendliest possible tone : )
temecula, california
chris@ccpots.com
www.ccpots.com
Kathy McDonald on tue 14 aug 01
> SO we don't become a professional until we can support ourselves with
'clay
> money'. How nice. Thanks for making that clear. chris
>
>
> temecula, california
> chris@ccpots.com
> www.ccpots.com
>"If it makes you feel any better i capitalized my home and studio with the
>money Sheila and I made teaching- me Marketing and her Grade 1. I have
lived
>off my pots for the past dozen years but thank god for the other jobs. We
>would never have made it. I don't see how anyone could. that is sad for the
>profession.
>cheers,
>Tony
Chris,,,
I am glad you asked the question... AND Tony I'm glad you
clarified your stance. I have had MAJOR discussions with fellow
potterers about this very issue. You've obviously made some life
style choices and I admire them. They take courage and determination.
Perhaps it's my oversensitivity, but I think you look on part timers
as a bit of a *lesser* species....correct me if I am wrong.
I think being a full time potter requires some major lifestyle
sacrifices, and many people are not in a position to make those sacrifices
because they have family committments children to educate,
mortgages,or other debt to take the plunge into the abyss known
as being a *real potter*.
The general concensus among many of the full time potters I deal with
seems to be that you can't REALLY be a potter unless that's your only
money making activity. I totally disagree.
I know lots of potters who produce wonderful work and
just can't make a go of it so they do other stuff,,,work at golf courses
work as janitors,open toy stores or even go back to school to get other
training..
their pots (when they have time to make them) are just as good.
I know lots of full time potters who don't make many pots....
good job they got working partners or they'd starve.
I gave the full time potter thing a try, and yes it's damn hard work.
Trucking pots 7 miles to a farm kiln to fire in Dec is COLD.
Slugging thru mud with a baby in a snuggly to set up a booth at an outdoor
craft festival
was quite fashionable 20 yrs ago...doesn't fit in today's slick "big box"
craft fairs
that have evolved over the years. Booth rentals for the *decent* craft
shows
were 75 bucks back then.........now with the big promoters in the mix the
same booth
is $900. (more if you want an electrical outlet in your 10x10 space)
Mugs sold for $6 and 8 bucks each...
they sell for 14 or 15 now. Not a proportionate increase is it.
I consider myself fortunate to have other training to fall back on...and
that I can
generate enough income from employment and my pots to be able to continue to
feed and educate my kids
as well as to support my continuing addiction to clay and a good bottle of
cabernet.
This started out being a post where I was really gonna give Tony hell,,,and
ended up just being
a kind of nostalgia trip.
Kathy.....(who just bought an electric toothbrush)
http://www.willowtreepottery.com
-
Jean Cochran on tue 14 aug 01
Dear Chris,
Don't lose hope. If you have not already done so, check with the state
of California and see if they have any programs that promote their
artists and craftsmen (we do in Kentucky). What guild's might be
available to you? It surely does take a while to see which shows are
sellers and which are not. Also, sometimes the space one has at a show,
as a relative newbie, is not the most desirable for that particular
show.
Just a "chin up" to you.
Jean Wadsworth Cochran
Fox Hollow Pottery
New Haven, Kentucky
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