Are we not all in truth two people

The private self and 

the one the world demands to see?

For over a year now I have been quietly working away on some new slips and glazes

that I feel will move my work on to the next level.

I’ve always been able to see a next level in my mind but found myself too busy

with my current workload  to develop the ideas towards it!

Something I’ve know for a long time, that has been eating away at me

and my private self.

As a consequence my work has suffered and most noticeably myself,

but this past year

I feel as if the world has been spinning at a far more comfortable pace.

With many disappointments along the way it feels like a huge achievement 

when you finally open the kiln door to find a combination 

that actually works as it should do in your mind on a number of levels!

I sat down earlier this evening to put together one of my 

#madewithRipl posts on social media to ask my followers a Poll question 

as to should I change one of my long standing colours?

But, as I was putting it together 

I knew the answer!

These are my pots and I’m the potter

I instinctively know what is right for me! 

I’ll make my own decision for my private self

not the decision the world wants to see,

 not the bland compromise that a committee would stumble upon!

I have long had a love of French country pottery with particular colours 

I’ve been trying to achieve just because I like them,

some I’ve had the basic concept of for many years, but only in recent months have I had time

to think them through and then have that light bulb moment 

almost that Eureka! moment, that every artist needs to ignite that inner spark.

Subtle changes that make all the difference to the potter in his conceptual career,

for me this is big corner turned and will see a new direction in my work 

making pots that excite me!

This private self inside is confident enough to say yes, 

this is what I am going to do

it’s better than before.

This is a far better cream than before 

the two bowls below show the subtle difference with the front bowl

being the new cream.

The four 8” pots below are all new colours which when you see them in the flesh

and the new shapes that I’m going to make will move my work 

forward.

So if you’re disappointed that I didn’t have a poll

feel free to grab one of these

Poles!

The private me and the one the world demands to see

are poles apart.

Have a great day and thanks for dropping by!