Today Whynot Pottery ran on a "two hour" delay. It was cold, slippery and the covers were warm and inviting. Some days it is hard to get out to the studio and today was one of those.
The day reminded me of hard winter- a day you can make excuses not to work- but the CALENDAR says it is March- well shoot how did that happen?
As these thought went through my head I was reminded that this was and is our business. We do this for a living- such as it is these days. Even with the down turn and worry we get up everyday and go work in some form in our studio.
When we started this in 1982- it took a bit of time to find the right rhythm to the business because we were not prolific throwers and could have used about 2 more years either in school or working for someone else.
But we learned to get up and go do something everyday- what we learned from this is:
A- we still don't know what we are doing- but we have better skills to do it with.
B- if you get the clay ready and heat the water and stand at your wheel some pots will come out.
C- when in doubt do something else- go mow the lawn, move some bricks, go away from the studio, go to a museum, take a hike, read a book, bake some bread, read some blogs- renew yourself.
D- this is not all fun and games- it is hard work.
E- but most of all would you really do anything else if you could- brain sugery maybe?
Life is full of choices- I think we made ours.
Whynot Pottery- open tomorrow regular hours- let's make some pots!
5 comments:
Well said.
“The only rule is work. If you work, it will lead to something. It’s the people who do all of the work all of the time who eventually catch on to things.”
This is a quote from John Cage who was a composer, print maker, writer, philosopher.
I also think creativity happens when we aren't really paying attention -- just working day in & day out. An 'aha' moment occurs & we move forward.
But there are many days when a good book & a cup of tea seem much more interesting than my studio . . . .
In Julia Cameron's "The Artist's Way" she has an artist's prayer that I love - it is - 'God, you take care of the quality & I will take care of the quantity.' So true in pottery! We have to keep working, even when we don't feel like it so inspiration can strike! I think this post really conveys this so well...so beautifully and practically said! It's easy to see that you have years of wisdom and experience from working everyday with clay! Julia
Mary's father is back in the hospital this week. Just yesterday, the nurse helped him sit in a chair next to a window and asked him if he wanted to get up for a little walk.
He's not saying much these days.
He looked out the window, saw the fresh snow on the ground and pulled his collar up around his neck.
I think he was comfortable right there where he was.
Love the warm glow your pot pictured there is producing, that would make me want to stay inside too. I keep saying if the studio is warm I can work in there, just wait till it's over 100 and I'll say, if the studio is cool I can work in there. Truly though most times just kneading the clay gives me an idea or two. But as Mary's father showed pulling up his collar, sometimes just looking at the cold weather can make you feel cold.
Thanks everyone- the sun is shinning today and that makes everything look so much better!
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