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conceptualizing and doing

updated tue 26 mar 02

 

Roger Korn on sat 23 mar 02


Hi Vince,

As I move into sculptural stuff from pots, I find myself drawing constantly. I can
go from mental image of pot to clay directly, but with the sculptural forms,
drawing helps me walk through the process. As you say, "Drawing (always) helps
bridge the gap..."

Roger, in the 85 degree Verde, trying to remember where I left my clothes.

vince pitelka wrote:

> > One of the most discouraging things about being an artist is that what we
> > see so clearly in our visions is almost impossible to manifest with our
> > materials. All artists struggle with this -- writers, painters, musicians.
>
> I can appreciate what you are saying, Sharon, but isn't this what skill
> development is about in any art medium? Initially we struggle with the
> clay, trying to realize in three dimensions what we have visualized in our
> minds. That happens in every medium. As we achieve a higher level of
> skill, we are more able to physically realize our visualized intent.
>
> This is one of the reasons why it is so important to work in several media
> at all times. Drawing always helps bridge the gap between mental
> visualization and three-dimensional realization, but it can also allow the
> artist to express creative ideas which he or she is unable to bring to
> fruition in three dimensions at that particular stage of skill development.
> With hard work, eventually the skill always comes.
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Crafts
> Tennessee Technological University
> 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
> Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
> 615/597-5376
> Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
> 615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
> http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
>
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--
Roger Korn
McKay Creek Ceramics
In AZ: PO Box 463
4215 Culpepper Ranch Rd
Rimrock, AZ 86335
928-567-5699 <-
In OR: PO Box 436
31330 NW Pacific Ave.
North Plains, OR 97133
503-647-5464

vince pitelka on sat 23 mar 02


> One of the most discouraging things about being an artist is that what we
> see so clearly in our visions is almost impossible to manifest with our
> materials. All artists struggle with this -- writers, painters, musicians.

I can appreciate what you are saying, Sharon, but isn't this what skill
development is about in any art medium? Initially we struggle with the
clay, trying to realize in three dimensions what we have visualized in our
minds. That happens in every medium. As we achieve a higher level of
skill, we are more able to physically realize our visualized intent.

This is one of the reasons why it is so important to work in several media
at all times. Drawing always helps bridge the gap between mental
visualization and three-dimensional realization, but it can also allow the
artist to express creative ideas which he or she is unable to bring to
fruition in three dimensions at that particular stage of skill development.
With hard work, eventually the skill always comes.
Best wishes -
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/

Elizabeth Hewitt on mon 25 mar 02


Oh, so many great posts and ideas to respond to....and so little time.

Vince said:
<skill development is about in any art medium? Initially we struggle with
the clay, trying to realize in three dimensions what we have visualized
in our minds. That happens in every medium. As we achieve a higher level
of skill, we are more able to physically realize our visualized intent.
This is one of the reasons why it is so important to work in several
media at all times. Drawing always helps bridge the gap between mental
visualization and three-dimensional realization, but it can also allow
the artist to express creative ideas which he or she is unable to bring
to fruition in three dimensions at that particular stage of skill
development. With hard work, eventually the skill always comes. >>
I think the gap between our visualized intent and the actualization of
it lies so much in the tools, knowing which tool will accomplish the
right stroke or ridge. I've spent hours and hours with my brushes, raw
glaze and newsprint to learn what kind of stroke each of the brushes
will create. I've been amazed realizing how hard I had worked, using the
wrong tools. And equally amazed how easy it is when you know each tool
and what it will do. Working with pottery forms caused me to develop an
awareness of the need to acquaint myself with the tools. For me, the 3-D
helped bring along the 2-D.
Elizabeth