Stop trying to be unique- it's not what matters!

​What do you do to infuse your work with spark, new energy, new ideas?

How about this radical idea:

Stop thinking you have to be unique!

Instead focus on Authentic, Honest and Compelling

This is where the work that matters is- both for you and for your audience. 

Allow yourself to be inspired by an artist whose work you like- a technique or tool or whatever. Allow yourself to play with it.

Pottery has a long tradition of sharing ideas and forms and learning from each other. I think the fine arts has a lot to learn from this concept.

The trick is, don't stay with it being a copy- own it! 

After a few stabs at the new/used form, technique, style, or  maybe many iterations, often awkward and uncomfortable- something becomes sysnthesized into your own vocabulary.

We are all part of something much larger than ourselves. To think that we can or should produce something unique is a fools errand- and stressful besides. There are just too many artists all over the world and throughout time.

Instead embrace the dialogue, try things out.

You will recognize when your work becomes truely compelling to you. This is where it is honest and authentic, true to your own vision not as an isolated disconnnected artist, but  as a member of a culture. And this is where the work begins to really sing.

I have been thinking about this as I have been preparing workshops for the students I work with regularly in the Northampton Pottery Studio. 

The potter's wheel gives us round pots. What happens when you bring in another element? Poke it, slice it, stretch it, paddle it, all types of manipulation in relationship to the natural round of the pot. I am getting very curious and excited to play. 

I am looking to other potters for inspiration. Locally, I love Mark Shapiro's facets, or Ben Eberly's pressed marks, Mary Barringer's textures. And from my explorations on instagram, Mikhail Tovstous  is a Ukranian potter who is doing a kind of faceting that is so beautiful.

There are so many others and I am excited to know who you are inspired by.

Check out this reel by Ben Eberly to see what inspired this workshop. 

I know I will be watching for his courses at Snow Farm this year! I bought a few of his pots at the Asparagus Valley Potter's Trail last year and fell in love with them! We are so lucky to live in a place with so many great potters!