[DPancioli]

How long do you think you will be making pots?

I am asking myself this question lately because I am
nearing retirement age. Also, I read lately that Robin Hopper
is no longer making pots; do you know anyone else who
made the decision to stop potting?

[JBaymore]

Til I drop dead or until physical health prevents me from doing so.

I don't expect to "retire" from being a potter...... I AM a potter.

best,

.........................john

[mandy]

DPancioli, on 07 August 2012 - 06:16 AM, said:

How long do you think you will be making pots?

I am asking myself this question lately because I am
nearing retirement age. Also, I read lately that Robin Hopper
is no longer making pots; do you know anyone else who
made the decision to stop potting?

I know 2 potters active and teaching in their 90's, admittedly making smaller ware, but then they always did.
I have tried twice to "quit" so as to concentrate on painting and to travel, but quickly re-aquired a kiln and have only managed a month or six weeks without clay in hand over the last 8 years!
I don't throw or wedge, so there is very little reason I couldn't continue all my life - main worry is eyesight actually!

[ericthepotter]

Well, I am 56 and just sat back down at the wheel two years ago after a 35 year absence. I still work at a full-time job and spend my nights and weekends in the studios or at art fairs. Since I came to this in a backwards way...being that it will be my full-time profession once I retire...I don't envision retiring from it until I can no longer lift a ball of clay. It has changed my life...in a VERY good way...and I ain't a goin' back! Live fully...live centered my friends

[Brrwobig]

I can't envision NOT working in clay in some way, shape or form. It is part of who I am.

[trina]

when i count my blessings i count clay twice....T

[Idaho Potter]

I turn 77 this year. I intend to keep playing in the mud forever. Yes, infirmities arise as you age, but just scale back the size of what you produce. Maybe production pottery slows down a bit. I center smaller amounts of clay and never construct anything that I can't move without help. I do more with underglazes and majolica now.

I refuse to believe Robin Hopper has quit ceramics. Why would anyone stop doing something that brings so much joy? I agree with john--I AM a potter.

Shirley

[JBaymore]

Shjrley,

Robin has been quite ill. So that likely factors into the possibility.

best,

............................john

[bciskepottery]

Robin has a blog you can follow to keep up with his current activities. http://rhrising.blogspot.com/

[little old me]

DPancioli, on 07 August 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

How long do you think you will be making pots?

I am asking myself this question lately because I am
nearing retirement age. Also, I read lately that Robin Hopper
is no longer making pots; do you know anyone else who
made the decision to stop potting?

[little old me]

i only picked up some clay when i was 60 joined a club and had a few lessons 11yrs later still interested and still selling something each month

just do what you want what gave you the idea to ask?

[Denice]

When I physically can no longer make anything for my smallest kiln that is 6"x6 I'll quit, but I have a backup plan. I have been growing a drying gourds of all different sizes and shapes they remind me of pots, I'm hoping I'll be able to drill, paint or stain them if I get disabled with my MS and unable to work with clay anymore. I think I would go out of my mind just sitting around watching television all day long, but right now I'm well. Denice

[Chris Campbell]

Chatting with friends a while ago ... They were reflecting on their jobs and how it was not healthy to confuse who you were with what you did for a living etc ..... Ooops! Needless to say I kept quiet since I am what I do and hope to always be a potter. I think of it as being incredibly lucky.

[JBaymore]

Chris Campbell, on 08 August 2012 - 11:17 AM, said:

Chatting with friends a while ago ... They were reflecting on their jobs and how it was not healthy to confuse who you were with what you did for a living etc ..... Ooops! Needless to say I kept quiet since I am what I do and hope to always be a potter. I think of it as being incredibly lucky.

Amen.

[Elly]

JBaymore, on 07 August 2012 - 09:39 AM, said:

Til I drop dead or until physical health prevents me from doing so.

I don't expect to "retire" from being a potter...... I AM a potter.

best,

.........................john

I am an artist and a creative thinker. While I adore making ceramic art, I know my physical abilities will eventually keep me from working on anything large scale. I will always be creative though (unless I have some sort of brain event that changes me) so I'll write, or paint, or draw or whatever I need to do to fill the craving to create.

[JLowes]

As long as I can find any way to manipulate clay, or put images on clay if I can't form clay, I will keep on going.

John

[Matt Oz]

When I haven’t seen a friend in a long time I usually get asked if I’m still doing the clay thing, and I always think, wow that’s a weird question.

[Chris Campbell]

Matt Oz, on 09 August 2012 - 08:12 PM, said:

When I haven’t seen a friend in a long time I usually get asked if I’m still doing the clay thing, and I always think, wow that’s a weird question.

Interesting to hear you get asked that too ... I get that comment often but thought it was because I was a woman and thus only doing the clay stuff to "keep busy".

[Mark C.]

JBaymore, on 07 August 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

Til I drop dead or until physical health prevents me from doing so.

I don't expect to "retire" from being a potter...... I AM a potter.

best,

.........................john

Same here-till the end
Mark

[Nelly]

DPancioli, on 07 August 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

How long do you think you will be making pots?

I am asking myself this question lately because I am
nearing retirement age. Also, I read lately that Robin Hopper
is no longer making pots; do you know anyone else who
made the decision to stop potting?

Dear All,

I visited Robin at his shop at Christmas. While he may not be actively potting, he is doing some great tiles with a new technique. It is still very much ceramic based.

On this trip, I also visited Walter Dexter. He too is still potting in his 80's. Great work too. He has gone from what I would call functional pieces to sculpture. Beautiful work.

In both cases, these artists have adapted to something new. Maybe that is part of the secret of staying in it. Finding a new niche that works for you.

I hope, like both of these successful artists that I too will be potting. But again, mine is a hobby. It is not a full-time job.

I think what this question leads to is what are the requirements needed to be a potter as we age. Part of it is, without a doubt the sheer physical strength needed to say pick up a box of clay or wedge at length or for those of you who make clay, pugging the stuff. It can be physically exhausting and injurious. But again, my comments are spoken from the position of someone who is a hobby potter not a full-time one.

Nelly