Wednesday 3 February 2010

Start again




The kitchen is pretty much finished at last now and I have been spending a bit of time going through pots for my West Ox Arts joint Exhibition which starts on Saturday and some more for Cheltenham Art Gallery and Museum too. It's been good to just sit and look at what I do with a certain amount of detachment from them being made by me and i'm starting to see elements of what I love so much about old country pottery arriving into it more and more. That's exciting to me, just simple things like just pouring thinner slip without worrying that I will have more mess to sponge up unless its done in a certain way. It's strange because i've known since day one that the dribbles of slip, splashes of glaze and messy finger prints are what connects me to the potters that made these wonderful simple flower pots and pans that I surround myself with but i've always felt the need to "tidy up" a bit too much. Leaving those dribbles has taken a bit of effort as the sponge has become routine to me whilst slipping any pot but it has paid off to me I think. Whether or not people will get that I don't know when looking at my pots but I hope so and it makes me happier with what I do. So I have been in a strange place in my head after recent events surrounding my daily life but lessons have been learnt and my focus on my goals has not been effected, these things that are thrown at us all daily as humans can only make us stronger right? I will be returning to full time work on the 19th of Feb, nothing taxing just a bit 'o work on the land again but never the less will constrict my pottery time. It has to be done, I still have no proper workshop and no where I can use as selling space so people can come to me to buy pots, but these are my goals and by hook or by crook i'm a gonna git em! Cheers.


7 comments:

Ron said...

Good to hear your positive remarks Matt. I love what your making of late. Keep at it. I am having some problems with junk in my head, issues, whatever you call it. Maybe I'll sort it out soon, in the mean time I must just keep making away. Saw you on Skype yesterday but I was about to make dinner and couldn't get caught up online. I'll look for you again soon.

klineola said...

Hey Matt, You'll get it for sure. Hang in there! I do the same thing as you've mentioned. The incidental marks of making do connect us all when we use a pot. After all, we're not factories!

Lori Buff said...

Hey Matt, I hope your full time work will lead you to a studio and place to sell your pots. Your pottery is beautiful, I have no doubt with the attitude you are showing and the work you've demonstrated that you will be back to pottery full time in no time.

soubriquet said...

I like the sound of this relaxed approach.
I wish I could find my pics of amphorae with fingerprints, and swipe marks. Tiles with pawprints. I'll brave the cold of the cellar at some point and rummage...
That lidded crock's come out well, and I like the see-through slip.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Looks gorgeous per usual, and this has nothing to do with anything, but pics of your cat are always welcome too :)

soubriquet said...

Matt: On being unafraid of glaze runs, -put down that sponge. -See a man who's conquered the fear!
http://www.applepot.co.uk/index.htm

Trish said...

Matt..sending you more positive vibes to add to your wonderful 'carry on' attitude ..:)
..continue making your wonderful pots...
Trish