How did that happen? One minute I was revelling in the glory of Potfest in the sunshine, blink and it was Winter and blink again and here I am, at 3.30am in the morning unable to sleep & gearing up for the Spring shows. Winter is tough in the life of a ceramicist its basically pretty impossible to work unless you have a fully heated studio (which I don't). I realise I am falling into the pattern that artists often do, much procrastination, navel gazing, panic & lack of clear direction & then boom - full pelt, can't sleep, want to make constantly & can't think about anything else, even sleep eludes me, but I'm used to it, I secretly enjoy being awake when the rest of my corner of the world sleeps.
I hibernated this Winter, unintentionally yet it felt without choice - my daughter was ill, I was ill, we seemed to just get through the days. I didn't update my portfolios with new work I made at the end of last year. They were a departure, a shift and I wasn't at all comfortable with them, sometimes it takes a good few months and occasionally years to figure out what they are about for me. There seemed to be a great deal of melancholy in my heart which travelled to my hands, there is a strangeness, an otherness in these pieces that felt acutely lonely, I don't think they want to be shared yet. I'm still pondering them now and seem to have moved on again, the latest work I am making has changed. I'm intrigued, but enjoying the shifts nonetheless, and there is a lighter more playful note appearing which is much easier to flow with.
My first foray into the shows will be local this year, 'CLAY North East' is at Woodend Barn in Banchory on the 27th & 28th April, right on my doorstep and I am looking forward to showing my new pieces with forty other local makers, it should be a lot of fun, we are raising money for Marie Curie too and are all making a piece with a daffodil included, and if & when they sell we are donating part of the proceeds to the charity.
Following on from this is Potfest at Scone Palace again in June, which I am really looking forward to, and then Art Aboyne in July and August. Then a Scottish Potters Association show which is part of their 50th Aniversary celebrations so there is lots to be getting on with......
Further Update 10th June...
I've just got back from Potfest and realised I never pressed 'publish' on my last update! Well that says it all doesn't it really.
Buoyed up by being in a field full of creativity for the last three days I was buzzing to get back on my very neglected website and put all my fresh work on. It is so important for artists and makers to meet the public who buy our work, seeing people visibly moved by what I do is indescribable. It stops me from giving up. I'm under a lot of financial pressure this year and thoughts have been swirling that I might have to stop and get 'a proper job' its the most depressing thought ever and may still be the case. I will never stop making, I can't, it is breathing. I will give a better account of myself when I have a little more time but I'm rushing now as I need to pick my daughter up from school and I haven't seen her for four days so I am breathless with excitement! I must remember to press publish this time too!
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