Richard Mahaffey on tue 13 jul 04
I recall a friend said when I was in Grad School "It's now how much
time you spend in the Studio, it's how much time you spend working".
I thought I knew what he meant but I still put in 10+ hour days when I
was as studio potter and usually worked many weekends (had the TV on so
I would know it was not a regular work day). Now that I am teaching
full time and stuck being department chair (extra work for not enough
money to make it worth it) I find that when I set out to make pots I
can get a lot done in a very few hours on a Saturday or Sunday when I
can work by myself. I think I get what he was saying. I still don't
now if I can work at that rate for a whole day let alone a whole week
but after some 35+ years it seems to come together.
I find that if I know what I want to make I can get that done in short
order these days and then I can let what is happening that day with
that clay take me somewhere. Kind of like that Haiku that says
something like: I always knew I was going here, I just did not know it
would be today. Looking at pictures of work with feelings or forms
similar to what I want to make or express helps and drawing some of
those forms really helps me distill the ideas so that when I touch the
clay I can be much more efficient with my time. Not every day is a
great day at the wheel, but the percentages are certainly more in my
favor when I prepare before I set to work.
Of course as always your results may vary (YRMV)
Best,
Rick Mahaffey
Tacoma, WA
David Beumee on wed 14 jul 04
Richard Mahaffey wrote:
I find that if I know what I want to make I can get that done in short
order these days and then I can let what is happening that day with
that clay take me somewhere. Kind of like that Haiku that says
something like: I always knew I was going here, I just did not know it
would be today.
What gives rise to my trust is that surprising way in which I will look at a form fresh from the kiln and suddenly realize the conglomerate of reflections, ideas and thoughts from so many sources that have congealed to come together through my hands.
There are never enough hours in the day to work in the studio.
Great Haiku Richard!
David Beumee
Earth Alchemy Pottery
Lafayette, CO
> I recall a friend said when I was in Grad School "It's now how much
> time you spend in the Studio, it's how much time you spend working".
> I thought I knew what he meant but I still put in 10+ hour days when I
> was as studio potter and usually worked many weekends (had the TV on so
> I would know it was not a regular work day). Now that I am teaching
> full time and stuck being department chair (extra work for not enough
> money to make it worth it) I find that when I set out to make pots I
> can get a lot done in a very few hours on a Saturday or Sunday when I
> can work by myself. I think I get what he was saying. I still don't
> now if I can work at that rate for a whole day let alone a whole week
> but after some 35+ years it seems to come together.
>
> I find that if I know what I want to make I can get that done in short
> order these days and then I can let what is happening that day with
> that clay take me somewhere. Kind of like that Haiku that says
> something like: I always knew I was going here, I just did not know it
> would be today. Looking at pictures of work with feelings or forms
> similar to what I want to make or express helps and drawing some of
> those forms really helps me distill the ideas so that when I touch the
> clay I can be much more efficient with my time. Not every day is a
> great day at the wheel, but the percentages are certainly more in my
> favor when I prepare before I set to work.
>
> Of course as always your results may vary (YRMV)
>
> Best,
> Rick Mahaffey
> Tacoma, WA
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
| |
|
