I finished painting the last porcelain box yesterday and left all 20 uncovered last night so that I can bisque fire them today. They are all more than leather hard by this stage and with our semi arid climate - they’ll be dry by the time I check on them later this morning. I’ll be glaze firing the lot of them on Thursday just in time for the Summer Art Market on Saturday and Sunday. I’ve been oddly calm the last couple of weeks - which is a sharp departure from the panic mode I normally find myself in right before a show. This happens mainly because I try to make too much too late and then end up having a lot of oops pieces because I didn’t allow sufficient time to dry etc.
As a departure from panic mode which is really rather unpleasant for my mental state as well as my family’s well being, I decided that I would make x amount of items by x date and that is all. It may mean that I won’t sell as much, but that’s okay. It’s better than putting schlock out into the world.
I used to compare my productivity levels to other peoples, and then had a sharp realization that I’m in a different place right now. I’m basically a stay at home mom who happens to have a ceramic studio at home. I’ve always fancied myself a “full time” artist, but the truth is I really work at it part time when I can steal a few moments. I haven’t kept a work log, but I know that when my daughter is in school (it’s summer break right now), I work about 5 hours a day - which translates into roughly 25 hours a week. Now that she’s home, I probably work just as much but at really odd times.
I know there will come a time (and it’s racing up to me fast) when my 10 year old will be a teen and will be less interested in my companionship. So, I’ve reminded myself to relax - enjoy the time I have with her because soon she’ll be out of the house. She’ll be 18 before I know it and I’ll be able to spend uninterrupted hours in the studio when that happens. I don’t want to miss anything right now! It’s a good exercise in being “present” and not wishing my life away too fast.
Meanwhile, I sent this porcelain hand-painted butterfly box to Anderson Ranch Arts Center for the annual auction taking place on August 9 this year. It wasn’t my first choice, but it does represent current work that I hope to continue exploring. I realized that I missed a few deadlines and needed to get something in the mail.
Have a great day everyone,
~Cynthia
Tags: anderson ranch arts center auction, being present, porcelain, porcelain boxes
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wow!
Right on Cynthia
Being in the moment and in the “now” works.
And too, as a mother of four grown “kids” who are in their 40’s, i can truthfully testify - that the time passes much too quickly.
Bravo. You are right on target.
And i have a hunch, that from your current perspective, you’ll find that you still get all the pottery and creative pieces accomplished !!! Just with less stress . . . .
Hugs
Chae
I agree with Chae and you don’t have to be a production pottery/artist to have a good product. Leaving people WANTING more is never a bad thing,and maybe have some kind of sheet with you for folks to right down information regarding requests and ORDERS.
Good Luck those look great!
Mary
Knowing when to stop is hard sometimes. Feels good to set a limit and stick with it.
Hey Judi!
Chae - true wisdom spoken. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize this. Why make myself crazy?
Thanks for the comments Mary and good ideas too. This year, I was actually going to solicit email addresses so that I could invite people to different shows I do throughout the year. I’ve never done that before.
Janet - it took a good amount of silly unnecessary stress away after I decided to do it differently than the last couple of shows I did. Yesterday, after I loaded the kiln and started the firing, I played around with some new forms. They didn’t work out, and in the end, I put them in the reclaim bucket. It felt good to no put that pressure on me and to play a little.
I find that without pressure I can actually get more done than when I feel under pressure.
These pieces are just so amazing. Are the pictures done with slip transfers? You’ve probably answered that before and I’ve forgotten. Sorry if that’s the case. They look so detailed though, they must take forever.
Thanks Undaunted - these are hand painted with underglaze. I haven’t tried a slip transfer recently…and thank you for the comments.
Omigosh Cyn, I love every one of those boxes and the detail and workmanship is just fantastic!! Yep, I can tell you from experience that kids grow up before you know it. I think it’s great that you are spending that precious time with your daughter while she’s young.