When I was in graduate school, I sat through a grueling review in which a friend, Ky Johnston (scroll down to see some of his beautiful, functional pottery), now a professor at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS , was thoroughly raked over the coals. Ky was working towards an MFA and brought one of his beautiful, simple mugs to the review. The thing that most stood out to me from that review, other than the professor's seeming rancor, was Ky's statement that he "wanted to make beautiful things for people to use everyday." Every time I'm at the wheel, every time I am at a sale talking with a customer, I remember that statement. That's my goal: to provide beautiful things for people to enjoy using on a daily basis.
There are a very few pieces that I make that I'd call art. This is one of them, but they are few and far between. I think that I prefer function in my own work. I am privileged to work with a true artist, Deirdre Daw, at the Brooks Museum. Her work is mind-bogglingly fabulous (and famous!) and she is a gracious mentor, generous with her time and knowledge. Perhaps someday I'll be able to pick up her gift for combining art with craft, or I will pursue art as ardently as I do my craftsmanship. For now, I'll continue to call my pottery craft and hope that people will use it as it was meant to be used, daily.
4 comments:
art. craft.
tomato. to-mah-to.
what you make is beautiful and functional.
who says art can't be useful?
LAM
i love what you do. what you do is art! love this post! and i love your work!
I have to agree with LAM - I think you are an artist!
Is this a butterbell? I need one, and I love this beehive design. I just e-mailed you a minute ago, as I just found your site, and now I am perusing through it. E-mail me, please, with information about this item and if you are making or have any more. Thanks.
-- Michele
http://calicodaisy.blogspot.com/
calicodaisy (at) gmail (dot) com.
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