Quote of the Week

I'm ripping this off Arthur Hash's blog, because he just said it so perfectly.

"As a maker I have always thought that if you are going to do something, you need to do it right.  There are already a million things in this world and if you are going to add something to it, it better be good.  As a maker there is always a beginning.  When you are learning how to use your hands for the second time in your life (the first time was when you were a baby...trust me you don't remember) you tend to make lot of crap.  Ashtrays, ugly mugs, candle holders....you know masterpieces.  

At this stage, more often than not, people decide that what ever they are attempting to make is not for them.  "I tried ceramics once...the clay and I just didn't get along"  The few that totally give in and join the cult of _____ give their soul to a craft and end up developing strange superpowers.  They not only are able to speak this strange object language but they are also able to bend material to their will.  By making objects and using objects and using objects to make objects they become these strange object whisperers.  The details of why that bend in that spoon is there or why that lipped edge is curled up just so becomes part of their life.  Really, only someone that has banged out a million cups really knows the proper lip curl to prevent dribbles.  This ability is ingrained in the back their minds so when they need to make something it is just there.  Their hands start moving and then.....done. The perfect thing comes into existence."

To read his entire post, complete with images of Myra Mimlitsch-Gray's killer work, go here.