Marshall Kregel on tue 27 aug 02
Lisa said: "I'm wondering this: are you more of a "real artist" if you use
homemade glazes, or is this just a Martha Stewart type thing that buyers
don't really care about. To be blunt: If I use commercial glazes, will other
potters and/or collectors think less of my work?"
"But it seems like most potters make their own glazes. Maybe this is
economic? Maybe these potters just enjoy experimenting with the chemistry,
which is fascinating even to me who knows nothing? What is the deal?"
Lisa,
Your questions are valid but difficult to answer. There is an economic
benefit to mixing your own glazes but some people, like me, don't have room
to store big buckets in an already cramped studio. Furthermore, the general
public doesn't care what glaze you use as long as it's blue.
And, you can't please all collectors and you shouldn't even try! There will
always be potters who consider another person's pottery to be less than art.
Kinda like 2 families sitting down to coffee after having dinner together.
They are of the same religion but different branches. Each believing in the
same God but each smugly confident that the other is going to hell. And they
smile at each other as they sip their coffee.
There are purists that dig their own clay, mix their own glazes, build their
own kickwheel and throw by the light of an oil lantern. And they might
believe that their pottery is the only style worthy of the art! Man, Gotta
Love it! And I do respect their work, even if I don't agree. And there is
also the little 8 yr.old girl in class that made a mug for her grandmother.
because her grandmother liked tea. and she liked blue. so this little mug,
weirdly shaped, weirdly blue, came from the hands of a little artist who
filled that mug with love and gave it to her grandmother. Absolutely
priceless. If that little mug was for me, nobody's art would compare.
Because, you see, it's not the art, it's the heart behind the art.
Every artist has a theory and a style. Every artist has a story to tell and
a soul to share. What you want other artists to think about you, you will
let them know through your work, and not necessarily by the price you paid
for your glaze. Some artists make their own glazes. Some buy them. Some
don't use glazes at all and let wood ash, or salt, work magic on the
surface. You have to do what is economically sound, and artistically sound,
for you. only you. And other artists will enjoy your work. And you can sit
down with them and enjoy a cup of coffee with them and know a little secret!
Rebecca P on wed 28 aug 02
Hi Marshall,
You said: "Because, you see, it's not the art, it's the heart behind the art.
Every artist has a theory and a style. Every artist has a story to tell and
a soul to share."
How beautiful! And something we all need to remember - always - even during tough times. That bit of soul we share touches so many other lives,and, after all, is that not our reason for being - to touch each others lives and help each other just as we do here every day?
Best,
Rebecca Pierre
Oak Island
>From: Marshall Kregel
>Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Homemade v. commerical glazes
>Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 17:48:46 -0500
>
>Lisa said: "I'm wondering this: are you more of a "real artist" if you use
>homemade glazes, or is this just a Martha Stewart type thing that buyers
>don't really care about. To be blunt: If I use commercial glazes, will other
>potters and/or collectors think less of my work?"
>"But it seems like most potters make their own glazes. Maybe this is
>economic? Maybe these potters just enjoy experimenting with the chemistry,
>which is fascinating even to me who knows nothing? What is the deal?"
>
>Lisa,
>Your questions are valid but difficult to answer. There is an economic
>benefit to mixing your own glazes but some people, like me, don't have room
>to store big buckets in an already cramped studio. Furthermore, the general
>public doesn't care what glaze you use as long as it's blue.
>And, you can't please all collectors and you shouldn't even try! There will
>always be potters who consider another person's pottery to be less than art.
>Kinda like 2 families sitting down to coffee after having dinner together.
>They are of the same religion but different branches. Each believing in the
>same God but each smugly confident that the other is going to hell. And they
>smile at each other as they sip their coffee.
>There are purists that dig their own clay, mix their own glazes, build their
>own kickwheel and throw by the light of an oil lantern. And they might
>believe that their pottery is the only style worthy of the art! Man, Gotta
>Love it! And I do respect their work, even if I don't agree. And there is
>also the little 8 yr.old girl in class that made a mug for her grandmother.
>because her grandmother liked tea. and she liked blue. so this little mug,
>weirdly shaped, weirdly blue, came from the hands of a little artist who
>filled that mug with love and gave it to her grandmother. Absolutely
>priceless. If that little mug was for me, nobody's art would compare.
>Because, you see, it's not the art, it's the heart behind the art.
>Every artist has a theory and a style. Every artist has a story to tell and
>a soul to share. What you want other artists to think about you, you will
>let them know through your work, and not necessarily by the price you paid
>for your glaze. Some artists make their own glazes. Some buy them. Some
>don't use glazes at all and let wood ash, or salt, work magic on the
>surface. You have to do what is economically sound, and artistically sound,
>for you. only you. And other artists will enjoy your work. And you can sit
>down with them and enjoy a cup of coffee with them and know a little secret!
>
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>
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>
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