Our own lives

My Poppy jug and beakers at Cairns Regional Gallery

I love doing this blog but it is time-consuming (sometimes thinking of something intelligent to say is a real effort!) I do it for a couple of reasons, the first is that I really believe that artists and ceramicists in particular don't tell the wider world clearly enough what we really do. I want people to have a greater insight into the artistic process, most particularly how entwined the process of inspiration and making is in everyday life. Also I think many people in Australia think of art as a "hobby". Through this blog I want to illuminate the work of an artist, the day to day organization and show that thinking of wonderful ideas is just the tip of the iceberg.

The other main reason I write the blog is for our obscure little corner of the art world. I think if you can speak you should. Being and artist is a lonely profession, especially if you live in the country. We need to talk more amongst ourselves. Question each other, examine each other's work. I find there is often a reluctance to engage in discussion about the arts bureaucracy, competitions, others people's work, govt funding etc and really believe that a lively community full of discussion and disagreement makes us all stronger. Many potters feel that if they "criticize" something they are damaging our chances as a community of getting more funding or, being negative. I think the insidious pressure not to speak about our own art, our own jobs and our own lives is way more damaging.