A hard day's work.

I spent all day rearranging and organizing my studio. Though I haven't yet gotten a start on those orders, the movement felt good and now I am eager to begin. Oh, and I smashed a lot of pots today. So satisfying.

A few photos.

I've decided to post some photos of my new line of work. I am not entirely happy with them but this is where I need to keep reminding myself that so much about making art is about the journey, not the destination - that what I want to do here is journal the process in order to see the progression.

I used to think I was quite good at photographing my work but it has been awhile (a few years) and when I tried this time, I was really stumped as to how to fix some of the problems that arose, mostly involving lighting. I also don't think that the colour is true to real life (I think they are much more vibrant), and I am not happy with how the stained, bare clay on the outside seems to fade into the grey background. I need to find a way to make these pots really pop out from the photo...luckily, my husband is really into cameras and photography and has lots of experience in lighting so next time, I think I'll bring him along :)

I rather like the composition of this last one but with the bowls stacked this way you can't see the contrast of the glossy, brightly coloured insides. I think I'll make a narrow rim of colour on the outsides from now on. I tried it on some teacups and I think it worked quite well. You can see what I mean here:

Serendipity:

'the state of discovery, by accident, of things not sought; the discovery of something by accident while investigating something quite different; a fortunate occurrence created by unanticipated luck'

This is the wikipedia definition - the best one I could find. The one that speaks to me most is the final sentence: a fortunate occurence created by unanticipated luck. I have experienced many instances of this in my life, especially in relation to my art. I am someone who believes that when you are following your 'calling' or passion so to speak, that the universe opens itself up in mysterious ways to help you on your course. In order to be receptive to this though, you have to know what it is that you want. Like the saying goes, you have to help yourself in order to receive help. As a sort of experiment in this, I wrote a list in my journal a few days back of a few of my 'creative dreams'. The reason for this is that writing it down brings a sort of clarity, or purpose, which leaves you open to serendipity, which aids in manifestation. (For more on this, I highly recommend anything written by Julia Cameron, an amazing writer on the subject of creativity). My list went like this (in absolutely no order of importance!):

1. to write and illustrate a children's book - or maybe collaborate on the writing with a great storyteller.
2. to attend university again to study art history.
3. to teach art and the importance and role of creativity in the world.
4. to become a certified yoga instuctor.
5. to have an art studio overlooking the beach.

Would you believe that this week I met a very interesting woman who also happens to be a writer? And that just yesterday I received an email from a friend who I haven't been in touch with for awhile asking me to teach her how to use the pottery wheel?

So, in response to all this, all I can say is 'Merci'.

Divine intervention?

What I wanted was some extra free time to get some work started in my studio. What I woke up to this morning was one of the biggest snowfalls of the year, with everything closed or cancelled, forcing my husband to stay home from work and all of us to stay inside...guess I haven't got any excuses today.

Get back to work!

I really need to get back into the studio. I attended the Atlantic Craft Trade Show (my first real show on my own) back in early February and my pottery was very well received - I got into 7 galleries/gift shops! I couldn't have been happier with my success over that weekend. It is a great feeling to have all your hard work pay off. After working pretty well flat-out for about a month and a half in preparations beforehand, I was completely exhausted afterwards and now two weeks have passed since I've been home and I haven't even stepped foot into my workspace. The thing is, I've got orders to fill now and need to get back on track.

First thing in the morning...

A second attempt...

It's been over two months since I posted last. The perfectionist in me wants to delete everything I've done and start over so as not to have that big chunk of empty time taking up space but the spirit in me says that that is not an honest portrayal of the this process and what I am trying to communicate. I may not have written when I intended to or even when I wanted to but struggled to find the time but that does not mean that the pursuit of my creative dreams has been at a standstill.

Fear can be a very sneaky and debilitating thing at times. Fear and overcoming fear almost always plays a huge part in the creative process. When I think back to times when I meant to update this blog, I think it may have been (or should I just say it was) fear of speaking of my hopes and dreams that held me back. After all, if I shared them and my experience didn't live up to my expectations, would I then be seen as a failure? Would I then have to struggle through disappointment and embarassment? When I see this in writing, I realize that I essentially am saying that I am afraid of myself and my own thoughts and well, that just seems silly. Fear loves to live inside our heads and when we are able to get past it and open the door to let it out, it has a funny way of dissolving into thin air and that is what this is really all about.

I read something yesterday that made me think. It was about having to 'live through the struggle in order to learn how not to struggle'. Makes sense, right?