Barbara Arner on sat 6 aug 05
I am only 28 years old and have been throwing for 8 years since
undergraduate where i studied art. How are you recent grads doing in this
ceramic field? What are your goals and what are you pursuing? And the
million dollar question -- Are you able to make a living? Thanks in
advance for the feedback. And if you could please tell me what state
you're in I would appreciate that for perhaps maybe some future contact.
Thank you thank you thank you!
-Barb
Tony Ferguson on sat 6 aug 05
Barbara,
I started throwing when I was 23. I am 35 and making a living from my work is hard. You never know how much money is coming in. I support my family of 6 and we can not afford a house at the moment--this is currently weighing heavily on me. Of course, some of our choices have affected this--with Anna staying home with the kids, we have income coming in soley from my efforts which include the pottery, sculpture, occasional adjunct teaching, some website building and photo and clay workshops. I don't understand compromise with my work as of yet. If I did, things could be easier I suppose but then I would not enjoy the process. Living the dream is a day to day challenge. I believe everybodies situation is unique and most are truly doing the best they can do.
Minnesota
Tony Ferguson
...where the sky meets the lake...
Duluth, Minnesota
Artist, Educator, Web Meister
fergyart@yahoo.com
fergy@cpinternet.com
(218) 727-6339
http://www.aquariusartgallery.com
http://www.tonyferguson.net
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Jeff Guin on sun 7 aug 05
Dear Barbara,
My name is Jeff Guin and I live in Coon Valley, WI. It is a small town near
La Crosse. I have a full time job at a local television station with good
benefits. I work 4 days on and have three days off. Those three days are
devoted to clay.
I make a lot of pots and I sell a lot of pots to friends and family,
although reading all the hammer ClayArt posts, I should probably hammer half
my work. But, those mugs and bowls bring in some nice cash. So the hammer
question is a tough one. I don't think shards sell too well.
Clay for me is a daily learning experience and I love every aspect of
it. Many of my friends tell me I could and should make a living soley off my
pottery. How can I when I now feel like I should hammer half my work. Not to
mention, my other job provides me with great benefits such as health and
retirement. Its tough but I can keep my primary job and still spend 30
hours a week with my hands in clay. I don't know? Did my rambling help you
at all? Probably not but at least you know why I haven't attempted to make
pottery my primary source of income, yet.
http://mudwerks.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mudhead99/
>From: Barbara Arner
>Reply-To: Clayart
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: A new profession for a young artist
>Date: Sat, 6 Aug 2005 19:32:24 -0400
>
>I am only 28 years old and have been throwing for 8 years since
>undergraduate where i studied art. How are you recent grads doing in this
>ceramic field? What are your goals and what are you pursuing? And the
>million dollar question -- Are you able to make a living? Thanks in
>advance for the feedback. And if you could please tell me what state
>you're in I would appreciate that for perhaps maybe some future contact.
>Thank you thank you thank you!
>-Barb
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>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.
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Tony Ferguson on sun 7 aug 05
Jeff,
I always thought hammering was stupid. If your work is destroyed, what history of your work do you have for your own personal study of where you have been? Save it. Give it away. Bury it. Pack it away somewhere.
Your work is your greatest teacher when you are honest with yourself. That is the key. You don't need to ask other's what they think--maybe early on, but eventually, you don't need to because you are pursuing your vision for yourself, not others. If you see enough handles, lips, forms, shapes, etc., they will help you will find your own aesthetic. When you pick up someone elses mug, cup, bowl, etc., and it just feels right, pours right, is balanced just right, they are also your teachers. Borrow and make your own the best elements of the works you like.
Everyone works differently, with different degrees of intensity and along their own unique developmental spectrum. Number of years in the business or experience means nothing. Many of us have a variety of jobs we do when the clay is slow to sell. Its what you do with your time and the final execution of the work that matters. Stay in clay, have fun, work hard.
Tony Ferguson
Tony Ferguson
...where the sky meets the lake...
Duluth, Minnesota
Artist, Educator, Web Meister
fergyart@yahoo.com
fergy@cpinternet.com
(218) 727-6339
http://www.aquariusartgallery.com
http://www.tonyferguson.net
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Gillian Whittle - Hope Tree Pottery on sun 7 aug 05
"If your work is destroyed, what history of your work do you have for your
own personal study of where you have been?"
Tony raises a very important question, one which I think all artists would
be well advised to consider. I somewhat belatedly discovered an answer which
addresses it without taking up vast amounts of storage space. I take digital
photos of any piece that is going to fall under the hammer. I attach a
comment about why the piece doesn't work and make notes about how I can
improve. I also do this with pieces that I'm pleased with, so that I
remember what _does_ work and can revisit old ideas and techniques.
It's my personal development workbook. I have the opportunity to review my
progress over time, and I still have the cathartic satisfaction of wielding
the hammer.
Gillian Whittle
Hope Tree Pottery
St. John's Newfoundland
Tony Ferguson on sun 7 aug 05
Ah, come on Gillian, you just like to smash things!
I think your idea of taking pictures is a good one for those that have to smash. I tend to over document with your same ideas in mind and have found that having a visual record of each body of work (from firing to firing) is really helpful in seeing where I want to go or not revisit. I don't take pictures of everything--just the good and the bad and those things that have potential to grow into something else. I have also discovered some ideas that were not fully explored and had forgotten them until I saw the image or the drawing or words in one of my notebooks. Whatever works folks.
Tony Ferguson
Gillian Whittle - Hope Tree Pottery wrote:
"If your work is destroyed, what history of your work do you have for your
own personal study of where you have been?"
Tony raises a very important question, one which I think all artists would
be well advised to consider. I somewhat belatedly discovered an answer which
addresses it without taking up vast amounts of storage space. I take digital
photos of any piece that is going to fall under the hammer. I attach a
comment about why the piece doesn't work and make notes about how I can
improve. I also do this with pieces that I'm pleased with, so that I
remember what _does_ work and can revisit old ideas and techniques.
It's my personal development workbook. I have the opportunity to review my
progress over time, and I still have the cathartic satisfaction of wielding
the hammer.
Gillian Whittle
Hope Tree Pottery
St. John's Newfoundland
______________________________________________________________________________
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.
Tony Ferguson
...where the sky meets the lake...
Duluth, Minnesota
Artist, Educator, Web Meister
fergyart@yahoo.com
fergy@cpinternet.com
(218) 727-6339
http://www.aquariusartgallery.com
http://www.tonyferguson.net
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Leland Hall on sun 7 aug 05
Barbara,
I am not a grad at all, self taught, so maybe my response will not be
useful, but just in case:
I have been working in clay for around 27 years. Started as a potters
assistant. I had been a seasonal wildland firefighter, salmon industry
worker prior to finding the potters assistant job. I worked for Mr. Bill
Kennedey for around two years. After leaving Mr. Kennedy, I became 100%
disabled in the eyes of the Social Security Administration. Unable to
participate in the American workforce in the eyes of the law. In spite of
that, I stuck with clay.
For the last four years, I have more than doubled my income with Raku
pottery and sculpture. Averaged around $700.00 month web sales. It takes
regular doses of pain meds for me to move. Without them I would not be
ambulatory at all. (well, maybe a little, very little) So in spite of
living and potting as though I were in the "special olympics", I feel I
have done quite well. (untill our uninsured studio fire last week that is)
I have often wondered what my output and income might be were I able
bodied. It's a rhetorical musing, as there is no way to know.
But often when I hear of folks struggling to make a living with the
production of functional ware, I wonder if maybe they are just producing
the wrong stuff? Again, rhetorical musings.
Anyway, doubt that this helps, but for what it's worth there it is.
Best of luck,
Leland Hall
Before The Wheel Enterprises
Raku Pottery and Sculpture
La Pine, Oregon
On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 19:32:24 -0400, Barbara Arner
wrote:
>I am only 28 years old and have been throwing for 8 years since
>undergraduate where i studied art. How are you recent grads doing in this
>ceramic field? What are your goals and what are you pursuing? And the
>million dollar question -- Are you able to make a living? Thanks in
>advance for the feedback. And if you could please tell me what state
>you're in I would appreciate that for perhaps maybe some future contact.
>Thank you thank you thank you!
>-Barb
>
>___________________________________________________________________________
___
Jeanette Harris on mon 8 aug 05
> "If your work is destroyed, what history of your work do you have for your
>own personal study of where you have been?"
>
>Tony raises a very important question, one which I think all artists would
>be well advised to consider. I somewhat belatedly discovered an answer which
>addresses it without taking up vast amounts of storage space. I take digital
>photos of any piece that is going to fall under the hammer.
Gillian's idea is a very good one. I do the same for anything that I
think was a success or a 'racer'. Then it doesn't bother me much to
sell it, since I have the visual reminder of that idea.
One thought about things that do go under the hammer. They truly may
be pieces that didn't work: a faulty glaze, cracks or slumps,
whatever. But sometimes the disappointment comes when what you pull
out of the kiln isn't the thing you had visualized in your mind. And
this might be the reason it is condemned. This happened to me and I
set the piece up on a shelf and forgot about it. Some time later, I
happened to take it down and look at it and thought, "Gee, this isn't
bad at all, just not what I wanted at the time."
--
Jeanette Harris
Poulsbo WA
Potter's Council member
Barbara Arner on mon 8 aug 05
Thank you Leland. That is wonderful that things are going well for you. I would be interested in seeing photos of your work....Take care.
-barbara arner
--
Barbara Arner
330 Bay Lane
Mantoloking, New Jersey
08738
USA
908 447 2826
bfa1231@comcast.net
-------------- Original message --------------
> Barbara,
> I am not a grad at all, self taught, so maybe my response will not be
> useful, but just in case:
>
> I have been working in clay for around 27 years. Started as a potters
> assistant. I had been a seasonal wildland firefighter, salmon industry
> worker prior to finding the potters assistant job. I worked for Mr. Bill
> Kennedey for around two years. After leaving Mr. Kennedy, I became 100%
> disabled in the eyes of the Social Security Administration. Unable to
> participate in the American workforce in the eyes of the law. In spite of
> that, I stuck with clay.
>
> For the last four years, I have more than doubled my income with Raku
> pottery and sculpture. Averaged around $700.00 month web sales. It takes
> regular doses of pain meds for me to move. Without them I would not be
> ambulatory at all. (well, maybe a little, very little) So in spite of
> living and potting as though I were in the "special olympics", I feel I
> have done quite well. (untill our uninsured studio fire last week that is)
>
> I have often wondered what my output and income might be were I able
> bodied. It's a rhetorical musing, as there is no way to know.
>
> But often when I hear of folks struggling to make a living with the
> production of functional ware, I wonder if maybe they are just producing
> the wrong stuff? Again, rhetorical musings.
>
> Anyway, doubt that this helps, but for what it's worth there it is.
>
> Best of luck,
>
> Leland Hall
> Before The Wheel Enterprises
> Raku Pottery and Sculpture
> La Pine, Oregon
>
>
>
> On Sat, 6 Aug 2005 19:32:24 -0400, Barbara Arner
> wrote:
>
> >I am only 28 years old and have been throwing for 8 years since
> >undergraduate where i studied art. How are you recent grads doing in this
> >ceramic field? What are your goals and what are you pursuing? And the
> >million dollar question -- Are you able to make a living? Thanks in
> >advance for the feedback. And if you could please tell me what state
> >you're in I would appreciate that for perhaps maybe some future contact.
> >Thank you thank you thank you!
> >-Barb
> >
> >___________________________________________________________________________
> ___
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> 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.
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