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getting back to work/inspiration

updated mon 7 jan 02

 

Liz Willoughby on fri 4 jan 02


How to get back into the studio after a holiday.

Day 1. Trim and file nails.
Day 2. Walk into the studio, turn around and walk out again.
Day 3. Walk into the studio and clean it up.
Day 4. Walk into the studio and wedge clay.
Day 5. Make something for yourself that you have been meaning to
make for a long time.

Now, you are on the yellow brick road.

What happens when one breaks the cycle of making? It is just hard to
get back into it again. Once you start, it all begins over again.

Dreams are deep, some are possible to have, some are not, but the
important thing is to hold on to them. Hold on to those ideas when
something holds your attention or excites you, it just might be the
inspiration that you need to make something unique. And yes, I also
believe that there are endless possibilities for new work.

Liz, who was looking out the window this morning looking at the wavy
snow drifts, thinking how beautiful that would be on a pot. Also the
stubby corn stalks in the field covered with snow, and at the tire
tread marks in the snowy driveway. See what I am getting at?
Liz Willoughby
RR 1
2903 Shelter Valley Rd.
Grafton, On.
Canada
K0K 2G0
e-mail lizwill@phc.igs.net

kruzewski on sun 6 jan 02


I loved Liz Willoughby's post about getting back to work. That's just the way I
start - especially trimming the nails. It's a sure sign of my unproductivity, when
my nails are long. They are long right now. I'm cutting them tomorrow. The whole
family either go back to school or to work and I shall have the house quiet again.
No more excuses.

First thing I'm going to do is re-organise my workshop. Last September I had a new
kiln which took up a lot of space and had to be put in what used to be my throwing
area. I moved things around. The throwing part is OK but the new place where I
finish pots, keep all my documents, my day book etc just doesn't work for me. I
can't settle there at all.

I've worked out how I can get my finishing area back to where it was just by moving
my spare wheel, so I shall try this tomorrow.

Location seems to me to be very important. That's why I don't paint anymore. I used
to paint in the front room of my house in Borth y Gest, or on the front patio,
overlooking the sea. Since I've moved here no-where seems right for painting. Same
goes for potting. When I am comfortable in my surroundings the work flows much
better.

Thanks Liz, you inspired me to start.

Jacqui, North Wales