Setting Goals

One of the most difficult things I've found for me is knowing what to do in the studio.

I know that sounds oxymoronic, since I love being in the studio making things, and could spend all my time there doing just that if I could.  But to tell the truth, because of the fact that I'm at an odd place in life it's often difficult to know what to focus on in my studio work.  So for now I've decided to make a list.  Hopefully this will allow me to develop my work while not wasting $$ on firing work that isn't up to par.  One of the nicest things about clay is its recyclability. If I focus on these things, maybe I'll improve and keep on making better artwork, be it functional or sculptural.  So here it goes!

1. Better Forms - taking inspiration from potters I like and constantly looking for forms that are both more aesthetically pleasing, and at the same time better functionally.

2. Cleaner - not less clay mess but finished, clean, fingerprint free work that looks more professional and clean.  

3. Repetition - working on getting better at creating sets of things... size and form.

4. Finishing - working on design elements, additions, and other ways of making forms more interesting.  Include painted/drawn additions, handles and lugs, sprigged decorations, and better turned feet.

Just a few things to start but, I think that they are a  good place to start to develop my artwork further and keep my vision going forward.  

We will see how things progress...

Classes again!

My classes start again tomorrow, and I couldn't be more excited!

Should be fun!

DAM fine afternoon!

This afternoon some friends from work and I took the light rail into a snowy Denver and braved the cold for the free Saturday at the Denver Art Museum.

It was the first time I had been there and the collection was spectacular!  The new building was constructed a couple years ago and is a great building filled with modern and contemporary artworks, and one of the great things was seeing so many great artists I know and love... 

And then there was the old building.  Floor after floor of art that was curated in the most fantastic way; the art was arranged by culture, and time period, but they also stuck in contemporary works of the same cultures in the exhibits as well... 

For instance, traditional native american pottery was placed right next to contemporary native american potters that I've studied.  

A contemporary Chinese painting of a goldfish was hung above a 10 foot Ming dynasty table.  

Needless to say it was amazing and a blast to experience.

It also got me super excited to get back into the studio and start making new work of my own!

Happy New Year!

Beth and I spent the day watching movies and catching the ball about 10 minutes before it dropped.  All in all a good day.

Hope everyone has a blessed new year!

Also, hopefully, I'll post a little more frequently.  That's on my list of things to do this year.  It's not a long list, but it has a few things on it.  :)

Night for now, and hope everyone's tomorrow is good as well.