tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post5821360847900091365..comments2024-02-13T12:30:12.250+00:00Comments on paul the potter: What makes a good pot good ?Paul Jessophttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16049186132665105757noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-7867593563459975042013-05-17T01:18:26.019+01:002013-05-17T01:18:26.019+01:00I don't know if you get alerted to comments ma...I don't know if you get alerted to comments made on ages old posts. But, have another look at this post of yours, and see where you are now 5 years on. And be proud!RGHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12613072866986826769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-62635623692799831322008-04-29T23:25:00.000+01:002008-04-29T23:25:00.000+01:00Yeah - still here.Yeah - still here.potterboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16318088177021111914noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-27469428685661818172008-04-29T00:17:00.000+01:002008-04-29T00:17:00.000+01:00As an experienced manic depressive I reckon life w...As an experienced manic depressive I reckon life would be pretty dull without all the ups and downs, i.e., better to feel something than nothing at all. Pottery suits that kind of headspace as it's full of highs and lows and that's great just as long as the highs are really, really, really high and more frequent than the lows. Dreadful when you're in a trough, granted, but I think that soon will pass and it'll start to flow again - getting back into that positive mental attitude is the hardest thing, good sleep, good food and good exercise.<BR/><BR/>It already is yielding results Paul, great strides in fact. Empty shelves are the worst thing after completing a cycle. Here's a project, how about making a dozen mugs and decorating each one differently using all your new techniques and materials? I learn a lot from mugs because it's possible to play without being too precious.<BR/><BR/>Life's a thing of contrast. I would hate for it to be good all the time because then it would be constantly average. It's a bit like hating winter, but it's a necessary part of the journey in order to notice the spring. I think generally that's the case for all of us - blimey, we're all mad - as if I only just realised that! I like Earl's final sentence, he's so right, how can people think this is relaxing?!!<BR/><BR/>We're a good communtiy on this blog, it's cool that we all look out for each other, speaking of which, are you out there Andrew?<BR/><BR/>Blimey, what a ramble, anyway, if you fancy coming to my place and making some more pots, just give me a shout and come, you know you'd be welcome.doug Fitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12413690733976558551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-12824453732496315652008-04-28T22:49:00.000+01:002008-04-28T22:49:00.000+01:00I find the blog thing itself just makes such a dif...I find the blog thing itself just makes such a difference. There's no denying the up bits and the down bits are still here but there are people to share them with who understand a bit more closely. Yes I have Paul and friends in (for want of a better phrase) "the real world" who are fabulous and I wouldn't be without them but who better to understand a potters woes than a whole big bundle of other potters.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01268429507947559935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-10425427142232722872008-04-28T21:58:00.000+01:002008-04-28T21:58:00.000+01:00Thanks Guys, I don't know quite what to say. Thank...Thanks Guys, I don't know quite what to say. Thank you very much for your support, it is greatly appreciated. I no longer feel alone and isolated in my thoughts. your right,it is all just a part of the process that will one day yield results.Paul Jessophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16049186132665105757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-35005139392706688612008-04-28T13:47:00.000+01:002008-04-28T13:47:00.000+01:00Paul. I agree with all Doug has said. I like wha...Paul. I agree with all Doug has said. <BR/>I like what you say about' creating your own world'. I think we all can do that. I think it's hard at times though because we still tend to compare that place to someone else's. I just got down to look at my last salt pots yesterday again. The majority weren't that strong. I was disappointed in them. I have made much better pots in the past. What happened?... well I think the earthenware has taken priority and now I need to make sure I am making those pots in a strong way.<BR/>I want to get better too. I feel like I want to make pots that are "mine". I know how to do that deep inside, but getting that into a physical shape is a challenge. Often what we can do in our minds/heads is way farther along than what we can do physically. So I guess we keep at it, keep asking questions...what if, what if...what now???? It's a hell of a journey, I'm glad we're all brave enough to share our ups and downs.<BR/>Keep at it. Keep us posted.Ronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07960400186962033610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-43105825612189311812008-04-28T00:45:00.000+01:002008-04-28T00:45:00.000+01:00There was a Japanese potter featured in Either Cer...There was a Japanese potter featured in Either Ceramics Monthly or Clay Times a few years ago, I cut out his picture and a quote and put them on the art center wall where I teach. Sorry I don't have his name or the exact quote handy. Basically he was saying that being a potter is a journey, you never arrive, because if you finally "arrive", what's the point of making anymore pots? Each day we, and by extension our pots, should evolve and grow. What is "good" today is not good tomorrow, or next week. It's a process, always growing, getting better, changing. But it's hard to get your head around it sometimes. I work with potters who are in it for the recreation, they do it to relax. I can't understand that. For me, it's the most demanding frustrating thing around ANYTHING but relaxing.Earl and Vickiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17394795944881635782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9070171807625943329.post-41945768415605222252008-04-27T23:02:00.000+01:002008-04-27T23:02:00.000+01:00Ah, the headspace of the potter - I feel the same ...Ah, the headspace of the potter - I feel the same way all too often. It's coming along great Paul, those last pots from your firing are really good and such an important batch of pots too. All those new colours and materials to explore - it'll take time but that's good, if you get all the answers to the questions you ask of the materials and the kiln straight away, then where will be the excitement when you open that door? The good thing about this blog thing is that it's possible to look back at one's archive to see the progress - it's easy to forget how much stuff is developing. Don't panic, you've got good skills and you're finding your own voice which is becoming louder all the time. It's a major development that you've sussed the kiln, now you can really start to do some exciting stuff. There's no hurry, no need to force it, keep your pecker up. We also put our work up against the best, Johnny Leach, Clive, Svend etc., I do it all the time and sometimes it makes me feel like giving up because they seem so far away. But, it's by looking at their work that lessons can be learned and aspirations created. The China experience must have affected you deeply - despite being taxed to the hilt, we're so lucky to live in this country - more so, we're lucky to live in the West Country. Now you've got those pots through you can look forward to doing your show - and the next kiln load! There's loads of information to glean from that last firing that can be developed in the next load. I'll have the four pots that you made at my place fired in time for your show. Sorry if that was a ramble, I'm just saying you're doing fine, keep going.doug Fitchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12413690733976558551noreply@blogger.com