Scratch 'n Sniff

I'd like to begin by giving Bill Van Gilder a shout out for pimping me in his newsletter. Bill has over 6000 followers with his newsletter. I now have over 1 million reads of my blog. I can't for the life of me figure how the same 6 people could have opened my blog that many times. Thanks Bill, I actually sold a couple of copies of my book today. That million selling book has left me with a million copies in the cellar. 
Bill had this blog title suggestion for me:
‘Scratch ‘n Sniff’ 
At first, I thought geezus he wants me to talk about the dirty disgusting habits of a male dog. He then added .... taking a risk in your work & seeing where it goes.
During our visit to his studio on the sly he asked one of my students (how is Tony's course going?)  Her answer" Life changing!". Funny thing is I really just give students permission . Permission to make the marks that somebody told them they shouldn't make.  I stopped asking permission in about Grade 9. That's how I rocketed to success over the past 40 years.  My workshops contain a fair amount of how to's but I like to think there are an equal amount of " whys". Why make pots you don't love to make? Why is being the top seller at your Guild so important to you when you don't need the money? 
Bill, I do address taking risks with ones work all the time. It usually lands me in deep doo-doo where the insecure think I am being elitist and trashing their work. I'm not! I have made mugs for people with big noses, heart shaped ash trays, potpourri burners and brillo frogs. It may surprise you but I am no angel. I raised a couple of great kids with these hands. No apologies for what I did to do that. My kids are grown, successful and I have a pension. I can now take risks. I know many potters  that could take risks but have forgotten how to. Not my fight to pick.
I'm bisqueing some pots for my former student and friend Andrew Kellner. If I can claim him as my protege, I will. Andrew is making some of the best pots in my province right now. There are so many I would like to own. I love Hamada's definition of a good pot. " A good pot is one I like!". I'm liking Andrew's pots a lot.
Look at the volume in this jar!

Aggressively trimmed knob- AWESOME!

Great volume, great handle, that trimming- ya baby!

Andrew's work is available at Shane Norrie Contemporary and Black and Smith Country General.
 

Comments

RANDOLPH said…
His work is nice. like it. Iam thinking of an old potter named nick/rick pope?
smokieclennell said…
Randolph: I don't remember a lot of Rick Pope's work. I do remember a bright blue animated teapot of his in a book on salt glaze that I used to stare at for inspiration.
Anonymous said…
Yeah you can spend a career in the mugs and bowls brigade, or you can challenge yourself?
Hette said…
You are so right - make what you like to make. I know I got into this too late to waste time on ordinary...!

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