Little and often

I'm not feeling that great at the moment (so what's new?) but now that I have finally got my clay out I'm trying to get (back) into the routine of having clay time every day. So it seems "little and often" is the order of the day. I made a second swan yesterday.


These are only about 5 1/2 inches in length, and 3 1/2 inches tall. Since making these I have had a lot of other ideas for swan pieces, but I don't want to end up with a table full of nothing but swans! So tonight I made a start on a tortoise. I'm going to make it so that the shell comes off, like a trinket box or something.


As you can see, the head still needs supporting at the moment.


I'm looking forward to glazing this one because I'm going to use that Fuji brown crackle glaze that didn't crack! Last time the glaze came out mottled, but I'm thinking this piece will look good either way. I'm going to paint the shell in brown slip and carve a pattern into it, so that will be fun too! Just out of interest... what do you think about this piece in pink and purple? It's just one of those crazy ideas that passed through my brain during the small hours...

I finally got my clay out!

The temperature dipped for a while yesterday and I finally got my clay out! I made this little swan and a few stamps.


I'm not really sure about it, but Scott insists that although it doesn't look realistic, it looks elegant, and that people will like it. I plan to make more swans and other little animals for the upcoming shows. "Little" seems to sell, don't you think? So although deep down my soul is crying out to make a sculpture the size of my kiln, my bank balance is telling me to make what sells. And lots of little sums add up to a big sum (hopefully).

In a week or so (when we have more cash) I'm going to do some serious shopping! New clay and glazes always seem to motivate me creatively :) I can't wait!

Fighting my muse, and my clay

I've been pretty unproductive for some time now. Straight after my show I was ill, and I was desperate to get creating again. But since I've been well enough I've been struggling to find the motivation. I didn't know if it was the heat, or just because I feel run down from being poorly, or what. But today I think I've finally figured out what my problem is...

My diary is telling me that I have 3 shows to prepare for. That means more vases, more woodland themed pieces, more Jane Austen... but as happy as I was with those pieces for my last show, I'm bored already. I've designed a couple more characters for the Jane Austen range, and I have plans to make new pieces, which should be interesting and challenging.... but I'm really itching to start making some larger pieces.

I watched a program on tv today about white lions and tigers. They're sooo beautiful! I want one! And it has always been my desire/plan to make one. And my Mum told me today that she would like a fancy bird bath for her garden, and immediately I feel inspired to try... but if I tackle these larger pieces now I won't have enough pieces ready in time for the shows.

So I have to make a decision. Do I continue fighting my muse and make pieces that will (hopefully) make me some much needed cash for this expensive hobby, or do I go with it and start on a bigger piece? I keep telling myself that if I just get on and fill the kiln ready for these shows, then afterwards I can make whatever I want. But if I continue fighting my muse will I just continue to do nothing?

It doesn't help that when I did try to make something recently it all just went horribly wrong. I tried to make a start on a couple of round vases, but coiling them was a nightmare! I was saying to myself "Umm... hello? You've coiled a swan and a polar bear, what's your problem?" and I actually think the problem is the clay. It just doesn't seem to have enough strength, even after I let it set a while, to support the pressure of me adding more coils to it.


I gave up at this point. I know they might not look sooo bad, but I was just fighting with the clay constantly and it wasn't enjoyable. Mind you, I have to ask myself, was I less willing to persevere because I didn't want to make them anyway? But when I think about it, I have mostly slab built with this earthenware clay. The only other thing I have coiled with it was that tall Marianne vase I sold, which was also a nightmare to coil. So I think I shall have to change my clay again.



I plan to go back to using stoneware eventually, but in the mean time I'll have to use some earthenware too because I have glazes to use up. Sigh. It would have been so much easier if that first tutor had just let me use my own glazes in the first place...

I'm a mug for mugs!

I have a lot of mugs. I've been collecting them since I was 17. As you can imagine, I've had to limit myself otherwise the whole thing would have got completely out of hand. I try to stick to just chocolate mugs but occasionally I see something that I just can't resist.


This isn't the whole collection, but I ran out of wall space! My sister came round one day to help with my dishes and when she saw loads of mugs sitting on the side she thought they were dirty too! But I just don't know where to put them all!

So today the postman brought me something completely amazing, and exactly what I needed...


... a mug!! But not just any old mug! Oh no, it's a very special mug, made by Cindy! :) Exactly what I needed because of it's message (I've been feeling low).

So, I'm starting a new collection of mugs - hand made by awesome potters! I already have... ummm... two. Hehehehe :) Great collection eh?


That other awesome mug is by Leanne by the way :)

So I suppose I'll have to clear some space for my new collection by getting rid of some of these old factory made things. But which ones? Hmmm... not an easy decision!

So, as I mentioned, I've been feeling low lately. That will be why I haven't made anything with clay... or is that why I feel low? I never know which comes first.

Anyway, time to catch up with your blogs. And if anyone is feeling generous feel free to send me one of your gorgeous mugs for my collection!! :D

Art or not?

In my last post I may have given the impression that I don't appreciate modern art. I'd just like to clarify that I have respect for all forms of art - as long as it actually involves some form of art!

I watched a very interesting program on TV today about modern art, and I have to say that I really liked most of it. But there are some forms of "art" that I really struggle with.

One such piece consisted of a couple of dummies demonstrating waterboarding - a form of torture I hadn't heard of until seeing this piece of "art". Is this art? I have to ask myself honestly; am I reluctant to admit this is art just because I don't like it? Obviously someone had to sculpt the dummies. Still, it's something I would expect to see in a museum rather than an art show.

There are lots of pieces of art that I don't like, but I can't deny that it is art. I hate the spider sculptures of Louise Bourgeois, simply because I have a phobia of spiders, but it is still art.

But some pieces of art really do push the limits. Poo in a tin? Not art. Obscenities, scribbled on a toilet wall? Not art. A messy bed with dirty knickers? Not art. Half a cow? Interesting, but not art.

On the other hand... knitted or sculpted poo - art. Spray painted stencil drawings - art. A painting of a messy bed with dirty knickers - art. A sculpted replica of half a cow - art. A piece of rump steak - dinner. (Oops, how did that get in here?)

Well, that's just my view anyway. Surely art has to involve some sort of artistic action on the part of the artist? What do you think?

Rejection

So, the headline news today is - Swanee and Polo were not selected for inclusion in the Open Art Exhibition.

I wish I could even articulate what is going round in my brain right now. Yes, I'm upset, but I'm also annoyed, and yet I know I shouldn't be either.

The standard for the paintings and drawings was exceptionally high. If the standard was equally as high for the sculptures I could accept the rejection. It's when you feel that your work at least equals that of another that it's so hard to take. Sometimes it's merely a matter of taste.

The other pieces I saw were very modern. I try not to pass judgement on other styles of art and try to appreciate the creative thought process and effort that has gone in to each piece. But it's difficult to think that way when you know that something that required no artistic skill whatsoever is going to be chosen over your hand coiled animal sculptures.

I know at least one of the artists in this catagory has graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours. I suppose that's what they teach these days - not so much artistic skill but "creative thinking".

I remember quite a while ago, John Black, the founder of the FPAA, told me that I had natural talent, that I don't need an art degree, and that art college would ruin me. This "creative thinking" is exactly what he meant. John is of the old school, and appreciates traditional art over "thinking outside the box".


Also in the post today came my cheque from the FPAA, for the pieces I sold at the exhibition. It wasn't much, but as Mona says "Sales trump ribbons any day of the week". I'm taking comfort in her words of wisdom from years of experience: "I tend to think you should feel more honored with the idea that someone is willing to part with their hard-earned money in order to have your work in their homes". It's true. I seem incapable of impressing snobby art critics but I'm glad to know that the people who matter most appreciate my work. And honestly, do people really buy those modern installation pieces??

I'm not going to change my style to produce some "new clothes" for the Emperor (although I have had an idea for a joke entry in the next Open Art Exhibition in 2 years time!). I know where I want to go with my art, and I like the direction it's taking. Some people will like it, and some people won't.

I feel much happier now that I have written this post :) I just wish I could go and collect my pieces today instead of having to wait until Thursday. I don't know why they want to hold on to them for so long seeing as they're so hideous to look at!!

Surely sales mean more than prizes?

(even if the prize is £600??)

I managed to collect my unsold pieces on Saturday without collapsing on the floor in a coughing fit. While I was packing up a lady approached me and, pointing to the Thrush, said that if I ever made a Robin she would be interested. I offered to make one for her as a private sale, but she seemed happier to wait until the next FPAA exhibition in November. I'm not sure if this means she's not really that serious, or if it is due to her loyalty to the Art Fellowship (they make 20% from sales at the shows). And let's face it, they could do with a few more sales. It's quite expensive to hire the venue, and roadworks meant less visitors this time. What do I care? I made 3 sales! :D

At these shows there is usually a "best painting" and "best runner up", but I have no idea who these were. I do know that Stella Benford won "best sculpture" (no surprise there) and "best runner up sculpture". I was happy for her because she is a wonderful artist, and such a warm person, but Scott was outraged! He said "when people run in a race they can't win first and second place, it has to be one or the other!" I see his point, but what surprised me more than that was actually the pieces that won! I really thought her sculpture of the lady would come first, but it didn't! I didn't get photos of the winning pieces but you can just about see them in this photo - in the top left is her Green Man oil burner, which came first, and in the bottom left is a pot/vase with holes carved out, which came runner up. (click for larger view)


Stella was as surprised as I was. She said "Personally, I was more excited about my raku fired pieces!" What can I say? Obviously the one doing the judging has a different artistic vision to the rest of us! He should have gone to specsavers!! (a UK joke) Scott's obviously upset because he wanted me to win something, bless him. But what do I care? I sold 3 pieces! :D

So today I dragged myself out again to drop off Swanee and Polo to the Wellingborough Open Art Competition and exhibition. I was sad to leave them there! Especially Polo. I gave him a pat on the head and told him to behave himself (which was my way of saying "I'm gonna miss you buddy") and the lady taking in the entries looked round to see who I was talking to! The judging is tomorrow and I should hear in writing by the weekend if my pieces have been accepted for the exhibition or not.



As I said before, I don't expect to win, but it would be nice to have a piece accepted this time. I had a look around at the other entries while I was there, and to be honest, none of the sculptures blew me away, not like last time. Last time, as soon as I had clapped eyes on Stella Benford's piece I knew I had seen the winner.

Stella's previous winning piece

This time there are a couple of pieces that I think might win just for being a little bit "different", but they're not my cup of tea. I suppose it depends on whether these judges have been to Specsavers or not!

But what do I care? I've sold 3 pieces!! :D