Pot a Day???
Okay, so now there’s a million “painting a day” blogs since the success of Duane Keiser, Karen Jurick and others. How about a pot a day?? It’s probably an equal amount of work spread out over several days. Maybe I could start the process tomorrow and then build on it. It would go like this…make a pot tomorrow, make another pot the next, once first pot is dry enough – work on surface decoration, fire when bone dry, glaze once bisque fired, fire again, display. I could feasibly cylce 1 pot every 7 days or so. Everyday would involve working on one of the pots and it could culminate in a show in a year’s time. 365 Days of Pots or maybe just simply 365 as the show title. What do you think??
It would most likely be a great experience since I would grow exponentionally and would be forced to stretch a little. Each pot would be dated, which would serve as its inventory number and title.
Meanwhile, I came across the work of ceramic artist, Gretchen Wachs in a 2003 issue of Ceramics Monthly last night and really connected with the quote in the blurb about her…
“One of the things I love about both printmaking and ceramics is process. There is so much that happens that it not in my control. It teaches me to stay open and available to life’s surprises. For me, art is a practice, it’s about being awake and connected. Art gives me a mirror, an opportunity to continually reflect on my life and my environment, to take the images and ideas that are meaningful and express them.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself! It’s so simple yet so true. I think I was trying to say that the other day when I mentioned the desire to fling a couple of my pieces across the room only to reverse course and find a new sgraffito design. My goal of a pot a day could pose a bit of a challenge, but it would also provide my days with structure – especially those days where I’m not terribly motivated.
Taking that possibility in stride, would the failed firings/constructions be included in my show? I think yes, since it shows the process of working with clay and the nuances of working towards an unpredictable outcome.
My only question is where would I store 365 ceramic pieces??? Maybe a bigger question would be, who would buy those pots so they wouldn’t have to be in storage forever and ever? Okay, I may just be musing outloud here, so no promises.
Oops! 5/18 – I signed on this am only to notice that comments were turned off. I think Blogger just did an upgrade and now comments have to be enabled under “post options” on the actual posting. I’m not sure that’s a glitch or not.
HMBT
May 18, 2007 at 1:20 pm //
I think a pot a day is a great idea…what a growth challenge. Including some of your “seconds” in the show would be good too…in Portland, Or. they have this huge seasonal market…many of the potters would offer their seconds at a low price just to get rid of the not perfect ones…it worked well. Good luck to you!
HMBT
May 18, 2007 at 1:26 pm //
so…I meant to say about the not perfect ones…it will be a perfect complete show if they are included with the 365…I love the idea…I think its a really good one, but I might be tempted if it were me, to throw two pots a day so that I could take risks and not care if it turned out or not…that’s what I meant to say and didn’t up there. Ha!
Cynthia
May 18, 2007 at 1:38 pm //
hehehehe, Heather…somehow in the bright light of day, this doesn’t sound like such a good idea to me. I think I may have had 1 glass of wine too many last night when I wrote this!
andrea
May 18, 2007 at 1:48 pm //
That’s a great idea and what a learning curve it would be! However I think 7 pots/week is awfully ambitious (and space-taking, as you said). Maybe a different ceramic pendant would work — or mix them up a bit. Just so you don’t kill yourself!
Name: Sandra McCall
May 18, 2007 at 2:01 pm //
Or make them all in smaller versions. Like, bud vases instead of full sized. Instead of a cake plate, make a cupcake plate.
Actually, I’ll bet that cupcake plates would be great sellers for office parties. Give your co-worker their own little cake with one of your really cool cake platter designs.
jafabrit
May 18, 2007 at 2:09 pm //
Pot a day sounds great
perhaps they could be small (for storage reasons). I think the suggestion of including pendants is great. How about tiles? clay a day doesn’t have as much zip as pot a day, but surely there is a snappy title for it.
Cynthia
May 18, 2007 at 4:26 pm //
7 pots a day would be ambitious, Andrea…how would I do this if I was say, on a camping trip this summer (we’re thinking of a trip to Utah or southern Colorado this summer)? I’m trying to figure out the logistics of the whole thing.
I’m thinking that these pots would be largely experimental in nature. So, it wouldn’t matter if they were functional or not.
Welcome Sandra! Mmmmm cupcakes, sounds good.
You’ve been reading my mind, Jafabrit! I’ve been thinking of making some tiles – just not for the “pot a day” thing though.
Angela
May 19, 2007 at 12:57 am //
I’ve got an idea Cynthia!!!! You could get a store!!!! That way you’d be able to store the 365 pieces and more. As they are bought room will be given to you. Anyhoo, wonderful post! I love it!
*HUGS*
Cynthia
May 19, 2007 at 3:47 pm //
Hi Angela, a friend of mine and I have been scheming a way to open a clay space and gallery in the future! : ) I don’t think it’s going to happen for a little while though… : (
k. Madison Moore
May 19, 2007 at 5:10 pm //
Just saw your article on a pot a day. I don’t do this type of work but I think it is a great idea. Your site is very interesting. I am part of the Painting A Day movement, but I paint glass, porcelain, metal and any surface that I can besides my canvases. Love your things and ideas.
Regards,
k Madsion
http://kmadsionmoore.blogspot.com
Shawn McCann
May 19, 2007 at 10:38 pm //
I think you can do it cynthia. A pot a day will become something that you do naturally and not even think about after a while. I remember when I had to try and think about what I would say on my blog week in and week out, but it finds a way. Best of luck and can’t wait to see the results!
Janvangogh
May 20, 2007 at 4:41 am //
Sounds like a good idea, but I think I would build a small inventory first.
Be sure to date each one, tho.
The Lone Beader
May 20, 2007 at 1:54 pm //
I like your idea!
And,interestingly, I wrote about the other kind of pot today, too… LOL!
Cynthia
May 20, 2007 at 3:30 pm //
Great idea, K and welcome! I’ve been thinking of painting some ceramic pieces myself.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Shawn. I’m still thinking about the logistics for those days when I’ll be out of town or something.
Hey Janet, I most likely would use the date at the title of a piece, so that I could keep track of the work.
I’ll have to go check out your post, LB!
LynClay
May 24, 2007 at 10:56 pm //
Your ceramics are looking just stunning and you will be a busy lady if you do one a day, wow!!