2.11.2010

Looking and Seeing

I think there is a difference between looking at your working and really "seeing" your work. Once we take something out of the kiln and realize that we have altered the appearance in certain way, we are happy. Visually this makes us go "AHHHHH"! But actually seeing what it is that we have done takes a while to register. Sometimes this information doesn't come to us until a pot is packed away for a bit and we see it a year later or another individual comments on something the glaze has done or the way we applied an element the we the artists did not even notice. I think we all save our favorite pots for a bit. This little cup is sitting by its self in my studio. Lots of information on here for my brain to think about while I make the next round of pots. After meeting with my "Pottery Pals" last week, I got a whole set of suggestions that where just little changes but I think will make a huge differences in what I'm doing here. Once again, I highly recommend having folks around you to talk about your work. Four eyes see so much more than two!


I plan on duplicating this cup and once I have the new one with the some small changes, hopefully I'll get some shots and post the two together and talk a bit about them.

As of today I'm back throwing and off to Winthrop for some more "coil pot" instruction. We are also doing a barrel firing today, which I'm sure the student will enjoy. Who doesn't like to play with fire?

Valentine's day is just around the corner so if you have kids, especially little girls I'm sure the hearts and the color "PINK" is everywhere! Have a great day!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

it's very true jen... sometimes you unload a kiln and just make sure the pieces aren't flawed and then take them somewhere or mail them off and you never really get a good look at them. i love the cup. i'm wondering how you made the nice thin black lines. i assume that it's a black stain but did you paint it with a wee brush or is it incised in there?

klineola said...

Much like the forest for the trees saying, it's ironic that we don't see our work!

Although maybe it's better that wedon't see our work all the time. It would be exhausting. Let the fingers do the walking, no, seeing.

Lot's of pink around here, all the time!

Lori Buff said...

Sometimes I think I'm too close to my work to see it objectively, it's often not until someone tell me their opinion of a piece that I even try to look at it though different eyes. Sadly, people have told me that bad pots are good so I keep working on something that I should just toss. I think we need to listen to others & hear them but go with our hearts.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

I am looking forward to seeing how elements are developed in your next pieces. Really interesting. I like it a lot... I also appreciate what you are saying about getting feedback on the work. I'm just starting to connect with fellow artists in my new town. Am so grateful to be making those connections. Soul food.

laura weant johnson said...

you're so right, it's incredibly difficult to look at your own work with a "cold eye". love that cup!!

Tracey Broome said...

I want to come take your class. Coil pots and barrel firing! I'm there. Have fun :)

Amy said...

Am looking forward to your upcoming post about the same mug.. and the small changes you make. I like it the way it is already.

オテモヤン said...
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