I have been going through quite a rugged slope in my life and a lot of self-reflection. Last weekend I went trough my drafts and papers and found a print out I made for myself about a decade ago. I stuff it in every project book but never pay attention to it. Once I indeed discovered it on Sunday evening, I read it. and then reread it. And again… I have a translation in Russian. I tried to find it in English but failed, so I will translate it myself. If you can find an original text, please read it like that. The original text was written by Jeanette Harris, who described herself as a clay engineer. However, I truly believe this helps everyone. On any art path. Or fighting path. Or just a self-discovery path. It helped me; I hope it will help you as well.
The most difficult – the first 10 years.
You have to break many bad pots.
You have to save many bad pots to compare to.
Dive deep into your art.
Realize – it is an organic part of you.
Never regret the time you spent on it.
Follow every urge.
Do it,
Even if you have never done this before or no one has.
Even if it seems wild,
Do it,
Do not try to heal a bad pot. Crumple it and make it better.
Analyze your mistakes and work on them. Learn from your mistakes.
Write down your mistakes so you won’t forget them/
Save your best works. Find artists you can talk to. They understand what the creative madness is.
Train your art muscles every day.
Chart, read, dream, plan, make it.
What must be done? What should you think about it?
This should become your daily habit.
Cantimiters become kilometers,
Take pictures of EVERYTHING you are making.
Start a journal. First attempt, happy accidental mistake, technique, inspiration, all you have to think about, all that you see and make.
It seems that you will remember about it later, but ideas disappear.
And you want to keep them.
Look for your own truth. Always come back to your own theme.
Save pictures and samples that inspired you.
Copy idea – AWESOME! Stealing idea – not so awesome.
You steal from them; they rob you.
Make your reference library, collect books on your subject, and sell others (I disagree with the author here. The more books, the better. It widens your horizons).
Avoid looking at hideous things.
Listen to everyone.
Ignore bad advice.
Save only those pieces of advice that inspire you.
Strive to create an environment.
Do not worry about style; worry about skill.
Put yourself on high standards.
I mean HIGH standard,
With such high standards, you constantly have to chase it.
Do not worry. Do not ask yourself: “Is it good enough?”
It is good enough until you can’t do better.
Find your niche in the market.
If you need a tool, find out how to make it or where to find it.
Can’t do it yourself? Find a master who can make it for you.
Take care of your tools.
Always learn. Do not count on someone else to teach you something you must know.
Teach others, and when you get a chance, you will learn better.
Find teh best environment for your work: alone or in teh group, in silence or with music or talks, messy or neat, etc.
If you do not like something, wrap the product and only look at it for a long-long time. (This is a paraphrase; the author was talking about selling items)
Never offer others what you are ashamed to look at one more time after a long break.
Live with your things. What you think is cool today may not seem that way tomorrow.
Or vice versa.
Do not follow the river.
Everyone’s work changes little by little. Accept it.
Do not take yourself too seriously. Just seriously.
By Jeanette Harris (clay Engineer).
Phoenix Safe Place 