: Idaho Potter - Viewing Profile

I was losing track of some tools, but frankly, the rigamarole of magnets, glue and whatever is almost as bothersome as losing a tool in the bucket. I was at a thrift store and saw a small plastic silverware holder for 50 cents. It has turned out to be wonderful! I keep it close by my wheel and use the spoon area (across the end) for my ribs, and the other sections for the rest of my tools (one section for needle tool and other sharp things). If it gets grubby, just rinse and drain along with the tools. Okay, it still kinda piggy most of the time, but I know where the tools are.

Shirley

I sketch ideas for pots, but not for sculpture. For some reason once I've drawn the idea for a sculpture I've lost my enthusiasm for that idea. What works for me is to write down what feeling I'm trying to evoke from the finished sculpture. Words seem to convey what I'm visualizing, and the intended outcome. Then I think about it for several weeks (or months) and just before going to sleep (every night), I visualize the finished project. Once the visualization is "set" (no wavering in holding the image), I'm ready to start.

When I was at BSU, the sculpture instructor wanted to see drawings (from all angles) before giving the okay for the project. It took me four semesters of producing the work; making the drawing from the sculpture; getting the okay; and then waiting for a couple of weeks before "doing the sculpture". He thought I was slow at presenting the drawings, but amazingly fast at producing the sculpture. Whew!

Big believer in sketching pots or you waste a lot of time making lots of mistakes. With three-D sculpture, words work better for me, and they do go in the sketchbook or Post-it notes, or napkins, or whatever is at hand.

Shirley

My condolences on your loss, John. Your father seems to have been a major factor in your life. Long may you treasure his memory.

My best to you,

Shirley Potter

I, too, don't believe creativity can be taught. Encouraged, and if the "student" is willing to spend the time, then stimulation by giving them access to other people's art. But, I also believe there are some people who cannot visualize any project, and sadly I have had two people in my life who could not repeat something you have just demonstrated in a one on one situation. This is more than lack of attention, and I found it scary. Repeating did no good, they just smile, nod their head and say, "Yes, yes, of course." , but never get beyond the words.

It's really scary because I didn't understand them any more than what they understood about creating art. The first time, I blamed myself, but in the interim I taught dozens of folks who thought they didn't have a creative bone in their bodies. Maybe they didn't go on to set the art world on its ear, but they found their creative juices flowed freely and found some contentment in making a creative effort. The scary ones would never make it--Synapses closed and that's it

Shirley

Jim,

It is what it is. (I have never been able to figure out that expression--what is IT?)

Shirley