Creative Crossroads or "Art"life Crisis?

While I usually find myself keeping my blog to more positive and newsy entries, I feel like I need to write about what I’ve been struggling with the last few weeks. So, I’ll get up on my soapbox. Whenever I complete a big production cycle and take time to regroup and get organized for the next phase of deadlines and events I always go through a period of reflection that can be positive (what worked, what sold, what I’m excited about working on) but often (due mainly to my nature) becomes negative (what didn’t work, what the heck am I doing? I need to go back to a “normal” job, etc.). I’ve been having a hard time getting myself through the sea of angst after this summer’s art fairs and I think I’m having some kind of “art”life-crisis. I’m not 100% sure why. My shows were actually pretty good, I won a couple of awards, I got lots of good feedback and had decent sales in light of the economy. But, I feel like I’m at some kind of crossroads and can’t figure out clearly which direction to go. I’ve come from a tradition of making functional work, but my current work has moved into such a decorative and time-intensive process that the model of making lots and lots of functional pieces (mugs, cereal bowls, etc) is becoming unrealistic with the amount of work that goes into each piece. As I’ve developed my illustration and decoration process, it’s become a meticulous series of steps to get the results I want. I don’t feel like I can compromise on this—it’s what makes my work special. Unfortunately (at least in this region) as long as your work is functional, no matter what kind of time has gone into the piece there is a definite ceiling on what you can sell a pot for. If it’s a mug, it should be $25. My mugs should be $100 based on time. I sell them for $36. When I raised the price to $40 this summer they stopped selling. I moved the price back. I hate to make creative decisions based on sales, but the reality is, this is my job. I need to contribute to my family’s bottom-line. I need to pay the bills. I need to save money so my kid can go to college some day and I won’t be bankrupt at retirement age. Just because I love my job and get to make beautiful things doesn’t mean I don’t deserve financial stability. My reality is this: I can only sell my pieces for as much as the market allows. I can only make so many pieces in a given amount of time. They actually are made by hand, from start to finish. If this doesn’t add up right, something has to change. So…then I start over-thinking the options. One possibility is to develop a “wholesale” or production line that is less time-intensive than my one-of-a-kind stuff.  Still, how to make enough of it and market it is opening another can of worms. Another option is to focus on moving my work farther from functional and closer to “art.”  People will spend more on a piece of art than than they will on a mug. I know other potters who have made this transition and found some success. This is a hard leap for me to make though. I’ve always made dishes and I love that connection to daily use. I really don’t know what the answer is, but I know I haven’t found the magic key yet to both making what I love and making a good living. I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this!

A piece of the process

I was in the studio today getting work ready for a glaze firing and realized how much I love to see everything spread out all over the table. It also makes me realize how time intensive my glazing process has become. I thought I'd share a few steps. These pieces have already been decorated and bisque fired. Most of these dishes are for my cousin's wedding registry (lucky kids...wish I could register for myself and actually get a nice set of my own dishes at home).

Pots with stain painted applied.

Stain washed off, ready for glazing.

Can't wait to get back in and glaze these babies on Sunday, then into the kiln again. It's magic!

Summer 2009 Art Fair Schedule

I just sent my summer show card off to get it printed. Here's the list.

New work

After a week of grueling work on the new house trying to get it ready to move into next week I got a break while the floor guys came in to refinish the floors. I spend a few rushed days at the studio glazing work and loading two glaze kilns worth of work for upcoming deadlines. I unloaded the first load yesterday and was really happy with the work I pulled out. A lot of it is going to Edina Art Center next week for their Garden Party event, and some is going to Pewabic Pottery in Detriot for their June garden theme event. For these two shows I've been making lots of vases and even some flower pots! Here are a few highlights of new work. I'll unload a second load this weekend.

 

These plates are test pieces experimenting with using paper resist stencils to create a background layer before adding the stitching over the top. This seems like it has a lot of potential!

Here is a sampling of some new handbuilt vases for just a few flowers. Cute!

And, of course, what would a garden sale be without a few flower pots. Most of these need to go to the shows, but I think I need to make some more for myself! I don't want to let go of them. I'll be adding a few of these to my etsy store this weekend. 

Happy Spring - Fired Up Coupon!

Happy Spring! Fired Up Studios is having a special coupon promotion from now through May 31, 2009. $5 off any purchase in their pottery gallery (print it out and take it with you for the discount). I have a special place in my heart for Fired Up after renting studio space there for a number of years. I started out renting a shelf and using studio wheels, then moved up to a shared private space, then into a full space and finally outgrew that to move into my own studio in my current building. I never would have had the opportunity to grow my clay business without such a supportive environment to set up shop in. Their gallery is a hidden treasure of the Twin Cities. You'll find work by many (30+?) clay artists in diverse styles and price ranges. I always have some work there (but you can buy anyone's with the coupon). They are hoping to let new customers know about their gallery. It's also a great place to rent space and take classes. Support independent local artists and a great business! 

Loosening up

In between selling a house and buying a house, I've been kind of stalled out on making work for a few weeks. The last few days I've been back in the studio feeling pressure to make up for lost time and also feeling like it's hard to get focused again. So, in between stretches throwing pots, I've been taking breaks to do some sketching to loosen up the creative block in my head. As always, once I just start working, I suddenly start having ideas again. It feels good to get some work started and I'm hoping to have a productive month because I know I'll be consumed with house renovation in April and moving in May and then before I know it, summer shows will be here. 

Featured on Try Handmade!

My work was recently featured on Try Handmade.  Erika Jurney blogs about the work of independent artists and handmade goods to enhance your home. I love her selections and am excited to be included. Be sure to check it out...and remember to support handmade, whether by purchasing on etsy or buying directly from local artists.