Christmas party at work today… filled with things I love. Breakfast with Bacon, handmade artsy decorations, sharing fun times with people I care about and respect, and air filled with side splitting laughter. Yup, I am one lucky human…
Perhaps it is not odd that even years seem to be pretty slow for me art wise, while odd years fill with opportunity. 2010 has been quiet, a few shows here, some commissions there. While 08, 06, and 04 followed suit, 03 was highlighted by showing in Japan, 05 was the year of lodestar collective, 07 was a huge year for commissions, and 09 ended with five exhibitions almost all at once. 11 is shaping up to be another big year… including some firsts. stay tuned, it’s going to get a little crazy.
A colloquialism a couple of my friends use in times when good things unexpectedly happen, but chance takes it right back before you can exhale that triumphant breath. It was a happy sad kind of weekend.
Obviously, since this is my fourth post since it’s inception. I also suck at shmoozing and self promotion. I really tried tonight. I accepted a request at Pecha Kucha tonight which happened to coincide with the Hawaii Craftsmen Annual Statewide Juried Exhibition, I had my postcards, ready to hand out, even had a pen to right down any pertinent information. Once the exhibition opened, I made one round, shook hands, smiled for pictures, answered and asked superficial questions, and then I was done. While everyone carefully positioned themselves near their piece, (but not too close) I slipped out and away from the fanfare and came up with the convenient excuse to pick up Gen. Upon reluctant return, I reverted to typical wall flower form. hid in the fringes, surrounded myself with the comfort of friends, and spoke of things unrelated to anything art.
I loathe these things. I don’t know how to stand. I don’t know what to say. I can’t remember people’s names. (especially the important, need to know ones) I am totally the tattoo on my shoulder, (Yes, I have one, been there for 15 years) a fish out of water. (yes, I did just say it’s of a fish out of water)
It’s okay though, I’m okay with all of this.
For the first time in over 2 years, I got back on the potters wheel and threw 95 bowls in 90 minutes. This was for Hawaii Potters Guild’s Empty Bowl Project. (which deserves a post all it’s own) Two days later, I am still feeling it. My palms ache and little flicks and cuts from the clay and tools remind me of the event whenever I wet my hands. It was great to be back in the studio, being amongst students from years past, old friends who I now hardly see, and the infinite path of spinning clay. Its a profound thing to control, to tame a material as it slips out of your grip. Over and over again.
But in the end, it is as I suspected. The spark is gone. I don’t love it like I used to. I keep saying I will return to clay, but at this point I am only kidding myself.
To google oneself is vain. I confess I do this every once in a while. The cool thing is that I found this video from Raku Ho’olaule’a, 2008. Completely forgot about that piece, It was glazed with spray paint (yes spray paint… gold to be exact. It came out nice too IIRC) Where that piece is now, I have no clue. Maybe it’ll pop up on google one of these days.
Years ago, a friend sent me an article about the importance of artists to have a blog. so here it is. My first blog. My first post. I’m in an ebb of creative spirit and spend the time I should be working on my artwork on surfing the web and watching television. I also dig into the image archives of my work and reflect on what I’ve done. Here is something I came across.
This was my submission to the 8th International Shoebox Exhibition. Curious thing I made, it incorporates copper and ceramics. I remember thinking I was on to something by mixing the two materials. It would be the first and last ceramo-cupric work I made.
