Joseph Bennion on mon 2 aug 04
Each one of us has to find what works for us. It may be that working
through shops fairs and galleries is right for some people just like
living in New York City works for some people. I am not one of those
people though I am prone to visit my oldest daughter who lives there. I
occasionally send work off to special shows at retail galleries or art
centers. It works OK for a visit but I can't make a living at it. I
found that when I went to shows and fairs or sold through galleries my
work sat there as if it were glazed with tenmoku, celadon and shino and
was wood fired which it was. I found that at my studio way out here in
the sticks people see my work in the context of the funky little farm
town I live in and it begins to make sense. Getting people here to take
a look became my problem. I went from sending out 4-5 cards a year
inviting people to my open house sales to producing a 16 page
newsletter twice a year. It did the trick and I have as much traffic as
I need. The newsletter tells my story in much the same way Garrison
Kiellor tells the story of Lake Wogegon. I have received feedback
through the grapevine that other potters think it is cheesy and is too
much self promotion. It may be, but ask me if I care about that. It
makes it possible for me to live out here and live the life I choose. I
don't laugh all the way to the bank because I don't make all that much
money. My cost of living is very low. I do laugh all the way to the
river where I will be floating again in three more weeks. Huck Finn and
Peter Pan had it figured out. Never grow up and go down the river
whenever you can.
Now, about blue glazes. They sell like hotcakes and my mother in law
has long since given up trying to get me to make those pots with 'her
glaze' on them. Yes, I had a serious blue period between 1976 and 1983
or so. I don't have any problem with blue pots, I just don't care to
make them. They are at odds with how I feel about my work. One of my
favorite pots is a little tea pot by Sarah Jaeger that is all blue
except for some white passages. It is as sweet as she is. I hope she is
still making them. They really speak about who she is. No BS going on
here. No looking over your shoulder to see what the next guy is making
and how well it is selling, just pots that go from the heart to the
fire, bypassing the head when ever possible.
BTW, about 1/4 of my production is tenmoku. It sells OK, not as well as
shino but OK. I think if I were to make more blue pots they would sell
too well and I would have to go back to throwing sooner than I planned
and would have less time for the river and that will not do.
Joe the Potter
--- David Beumee wrote:
> It's good to see a message from you Joseph, and I appreciate your
> comment about potters taking charge of our own markets and to quit
> depending on promoters to keep us in sales. As a maker of traditional
> pottery using porcelain clay I'm ready to extend your idea to
> galleries as well. It took 22 years working as a pro to be invited as
> a featured artist in a beautiful top-end gallery, and the 50
> platters, covered jars and vases looked great under the lights at the
> opening (July 2). A year's work, and the gallery was foreclosed upon
> five days later. No sales and I managed to get my work out due to a
> call from the gallery manager. Now I'm back to presenting portfolios
> and hearing (Santa Fe) gallery owners say "certainly impressive, but
> doesn't quite fit."
> The next shows will be here at the studio. It takes a long time to
> learn the right lessons. Always did like making casseroles and cup
> and saucers and plates and bowls and pitchers, etc.
>
> David Beumee
> Earth Alchemy Pottery
> 806 East Baseline Road
> Lafayette, CO 80026-2447
> 303-665-6925
> www.bouldercountyartists.com
> www.vasefinder.com
>
>
>
> > Hi Tony,
> > I have been off this list for a loooooong time. I think I signed
> off in
> > 1998 or so. Not as many names I am familiar with posting these
> days.
> > Greetings to all.
> >
> > I don't know anything about Wendy Rosen's shows or the ACC. I have
> not
> > done any shows in many years now. I have felt for some time that
> > potters need to take charge of their markets and quit depending on
> > promoters to keep them in sales. I don't know how other American
> > potters are doing as I never get out much any more but I just had
> an
> > open house sale last Saturday that netted me roughly three times
> what I
> > usually do with such events. I have five or six studio sales a year
> in
> > addition to keeping the place open 24/7 with a self serve honor
> system
> > type of thing. It works well and is my only sales venue, no
> > consignment, wholesale or shows. The only marketing I do is my
> > newsletter which many clayarters have seen and my web site.
> >
> >
> > I am still waiting for this economic down turn I read about to hit
> my
> > sales. I am not getting rich by any means but the bills are getting
> > paid and two of my kids are through college. I have taken a second
> job
> > as a Grand Canyon river guide but the motivation there is far from
> > economic. There are just some things that a person should do before
> > they get too old.
> > I agree with you 100% about potters only being able to depend on
> them
> > selves any more. In one of the last posts I sent to this list in
> 1998 I
> > expressed my doubts about the effects of the promoter driven
> market
> > on the type of work being made. I'm sure it is still archived
> somewhere
> > in the ether. It seems to me that potters are terribly susceptible
> to
> > trends that crop up in such shows. It is hard to stick to your guns
> in
> > terms of personal vision and standards when the guy next to you is
> > selling 10X the ware with the hot new look. Life is too short to
> spend
> > it making someone else's pots just to make a buck, IMHO.
> > Joe the Potter
> > --- clennell wrote:
> >
> > > No, this is not a message from Marvin Gaye!
> > > Talked to friend tonight that is doing the Rosen Show in Philly
> next
> > > week
> > > and she said the ACC show has been cancelled. Craftspeople were
> given
> > > 2
> > > weeks notice. i figure some would have been working for months
> to
> > > get ready
> > > for this gig. so the Farm Gate 50 mile radius routine just seems
> to
> > > be more
> > > and more the way to go for potters. there is only one person to
> > > count on in
> > > this life and that's yourself.
> > > Anyone have the scoop on why????????????????? after so many years
> the
> > > ACC
> > > has it's ass to the grass. Is the American economy in ruff
> seas???? i
> > > know
> > > the Canadian economy is not the best it's ever been.
> > > Thank god, i don't make my living as a potter. Oh yeah, I forgot,
> I
> > > do!
> > > cheers,
> > > Tony
> > > Tony and Sheila Clennell
> > > Sour Cherry Pottery
> > > 4545 King Street
> > > Beamsville, Ontario
> > > CANADA L0R 1B1
> > > http://www.sourcherrypottery.com
> > >
> > >
> >
>
______________________________________________________________________________
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> > > melpots@pclink.com.
> > >
> >
> >
> > =====
> > Joseph Bennion PO Box 186
> > Spring City, Utah 84662
> > 435-462-2708 www.horseshoemountainpottery.com
> >
> >
> >
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>
______________________________________________________________________________
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
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> >
> > 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.
>
=====
Joseph Bennion PO Box 186 Spring City, Utah 84662 435-462-2708 www.horseshoemountainpottery.com
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