A little about who I am and what has brought me
to this place in my life.
I have always enjoyed the making of things. That idea of what your mind sees- can you make your hands do. At times it is a challenge, at times it is a comfort and for most of the time it is just what I do.
It all started with a needle and thread and a mother who taught with discipline and pride. I could never understand why she always told me that "one should be able to wear their garment either inside out or outside in." I understand now. My work has my mind's linear space, my heart's flight and my hand's discipline to create. Some call what I do craft and some call it art. Either way with each object that I construct it has my soul and my talents involved. One may call it craft, one may call it art- it needs both to last time.
It appears that my feet are planted soundly in the ground and that most of my ideas come up from there. The baskets made from strong white oak and ash following traditional shaker and lightship fashions. Pottery-the art form that is so unique that it can turn mud to stone. Books-the combination of all that I have learned over time, placed carefully, respectfully together.
At this point in my life I hope to leave the art fairs and tents and shows and union hook ups for electricity behind me if I can and continue with the circle that goes round. I have started to paint once again and hope to continue making things for me- not others. My hands will continue to be busy and my mind will go on dreaming up ideas for me to create; however, I desire the time to be play and delightful other than creating for sales and income.
A very long time ago around 1979 or so, I was at a show. Yes, I was there when there were no kd canopys or gate fees or fussy promoters who have become the art police in today's art world. I was making pots on a Leach potters wheel and the lady next to me was working with a drop spindle. At the end of the event, I had my racks filled with greenware while she was still working on a small ball of yarn. I approached her and asked her why she did not use a spinning wheel as she would have made much more yarn. I thought that I was being helpful to encorage her to use a more productive tool. Much to my dismay, she replied, "Where am I going that I must get there so fast?"
From that time, I have found myself using that line in a reply to many questions about my product and my love for taking time in the development of each new piece. Many still look at me in puzzlement. Perhaps they know more than I, or perhaps it is the other way around. As the old saying goes, you can sit in the waiting room or wait in the sitting room it is all the same to me.
Craft, art whatever one calls the things we make takes an incredible amount of time to execute properly, but where am I going that I need to get there so fast- enjoy.
Nice to meet you all-I have a few pictures up of a bit of my work, but still working on my gallery and profile. I look forward to hearing from some of you and making new art friends.
